Vatican City, Oct 16, 2013 / 03:24 am
The efforts of the Catholic Church were undoubtedly decisive in the escape of most of Rome's Jews during World War II, according to a Jewish historian and columnist of "L'Osservatore Romano."
In a recently published book, "Portico d'Ottavia, 13," Anna Foa describes the only raid against Jews committed by Nazis in Rome. The book is named for the address of the Oct. 16, 1943 raid.
Foa told CNA Oct. 10 that "Nazis entered in the courtyard and knocked on everyone's doors. They captured 30 people, one third of the inhabitants of the house."
She also explained that "Nazis had a list of the Jews living in that courtyard. The list was drafted basing on the census of Jews made in Italy in 1938, and on a list of taxpayers."