Born in Nicaragua, Mr. Belli obtained a law degree from the University of Madrid, Spain and a Masters Degree in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania. He has also studied economics at Georgetown University, Washington, DC.

In the late 70s, seeing the reality being created by Sandinista theory, he stopped being a Marxist revolutionary and he embraced Catholicism. His critical views of liberation theology put him in danger, and he fled to the US. In Washington DC, he cofounded the Puebla Institute, an organization that is still a leader in the promotion of religious rights worldwide. He became an Associate Professor of Sociology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio.

Immediately following the electoral defeat of the Sandinistas, he returned to Nicaragua and became Secretary of Education under two different administrations, from 1991-1998. He emphasized character development and he converted the majority of public schools into autonomous centers led by joint committees of parents and teachers.

He has also been consultant for the Secretariat of Non Believers, for the Holy See, and member of the Pontifical Academy for Life. He has participated as a speaker in numerous events on several countries and has published extensively in the fields of sociology, education and theology.

Mr. Belli has been consultant to the Vatican’s Secretariat for Non-Believers and a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life. A prolific and renowned author in the fields of sociology, education and theology, he has had numerous speaking engagements throughout the world. Having been president of the Nicaraguan campus of Ave Maria University he is now the Vice-president for Latin American Affairs of the US headquarter institution. He and his wife Rosario have 5 children and reside in Florida.