Pontifical Gregorian University
Assmann was born on 22 July 1933 in Venâncio Aires, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. He did his studies in philosophy at the Central Seminary of Saint Leopold (1951–1960) and theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1954–1958). Assmann also studied sociology at the Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany. Ordained priest, he received his doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.