Andrea Riccardi

Andrea Riccardi (born 1950 in Rome) is an Italian historian. As a secondary-school student, he co-founded the Catholic lay community Sant’Egidio with friends in 1968; the community is dedicated to prayer and helping people living in poverty. He studied law and later taught modern history, the history of Christianity and religious history at Italian universities, including Roma Tre University. From 2011 to 2013, Riccardi served as a minister without portfolio in the Italian government led by Prime Minister Mario Monti. In 2009, he received the International Charlemagne Prize of the City of Aachen for his work against poverty and in support of peace.