Monsignor Angelo Rotta, Italy, Vatican diplomat in Sofia, Bulgaria, and Papal Nuncio (Ambassador) in Budapest, 1944-45

Monsignor Angelo Rotta was a rescuer of Jews.  At the time of his assignment in Budapest, he was 72 years old.  As a member of the Vatican diplomatic corps in Sofia, Bulgaria, he took measures to save Bulgarian Jews by issuing false baptismal certificates and visas for Jews to travel to Palestine.  Later, Rotta was the Dean of the diplomatic corps in Budapest.  He actively protested the deportation and murder of Hungarian Jews.  Rotta issued hundreds of safe conducts to Jews in labor camps, at deportation centers and on the death marches.  He eventually issued more than 15,000 safe conduct certificates to Jews who were protected by the Vatican neutrality.  He set up and personally protected numerous safe houses throughout Budapest. Rotta was aided by his assistant, Father Gennaro Verolino.  The Vatican utilized numerous Jewish and non-Jewish volunteers in its rescue efforts. 

Angelo Rotta received the title Righteous Among the Nations by the State of Israel in 1997.