Luigi Sturzo

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Don Luigi Sturzo (November 26, 1871August 8, 1959) was an Italian Catholic priest.

Born in Caltagirone (Sicily), Sturzo was ordained in 1894. After his graduation he taught philosophy and theology in his native city. From 1905 to 1920 he was vice-mayor of Caltagirone.

Sturzo was among the founders of the Italian Popular Party, (Partito Popolare Italiano) (PPI) in 1919, which became later the Democrazia Cristiana. In 1924 he started to publish the newspaper Partito Popolare Italiano. He opposed fascism and was forced to leave his position as the party secretary and go into exile in 1924, at first in London, then in New York (1940-1946).

After World War II he came back to Italy, but did not play a dominant role in Italian politics. He was, however, made Senator for life in 1953.

Don Luigi Sturzo died in Rome in 1959.

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