Rediscovered Archive Reveals Names of Jewish Refugees Protected in Catholic Congregations During WWII in Rome

In a significant historical revelation, research conducted at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome has brought to light a list containing the names of numerous Jewish individuals who sought refuge within Catholic religious congregations in Rome between 1943 and 1944.

Recovery of Lost Documentation

Although some of this information was initially published in 1961, the complete documentation, including detailed lists of individuals sheltered within Catholic institutions, was deemed lost until recently.

A press release on September 7, 2023, shed light on this discovery.

A Dark Period in Rome’s History

The backdrop to this discovery is the Nazi occupation of Rome, which spanned from September 10, 1943, to June 4, 1944, when the city was finally liberated by Allied forces.

During these harrowing nine months, an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 Jews were subjected to persecution, and tragically, nearly 2,000, including innocent children and adolescents, were deported and met their untimely demise.

The Hidden Heroes

The newfound documentation not only rekindles historical awareness but also pays tribute to the courage and compassion of more than 4,300 individuals who found refuge within the protective embrace of 100 women’s religious congregations and 55 men’s religious congregations during this era of persecution.