While the Second World War led to many horrible atrocities, many heroic individuals did what they could to rescue Jews and other persecuted groups, getting them out of danger.
Fr. Placido Cortese, an Italian Franciscan priest, was one of those courageous individuals.
According to the official website for his canonization, Cortese started-out ministering to Slovenian and Croatian prisoners in Italy.
After the Nazis invaded Italy, his mission then turned to rescuing the Jews.
However, it didn't take long for the Nazis to take notice and, according to Vatican News, "he was lured out of the Basilica of St Anthony – which was an extra-territorial area and thus outside the jurisdiction of the occupying forces. He was taken to the SS barracks in Trieste, where he died following the harsh torture he suffered."
His cause for canonization began in 2001, and was given the title "venerable" by Pope Francis on August 30, 2021.
