Richard Gere has been crowned the "Citizen of the World" by a leading all-female group Hadassah that seeks to strengthening the unity of the Jewish people.

Gere was singled out for the honour at the Hadassah International Conference in Nice, France, in recognition of his humanitarian activities for children and peace, reported Ireland Online.

The "Pretty Woman" star said: "I am privileged to be associated with an organisation like Hadassah that brings compassion into the world."