Anonymous, All'Illustrissima Congregazione Particolare Deputata Dalla Santita di Nostro Signore S. Pio PP. VI. per l'Universita degli Ebrei di Roma [“Petition on behalf of the Jewish Communities of Rome and Ancona to Pope Pius VI”]

(ITALIAN JUDAICA).

Lazzarini

Rome

1789

Vignette of woman holding aloft the Scales of Justice on title

The Jews of Rome and Ancona, both papal states, found their lot intolerable due to excessive taxation and other discriminatory measures of even a more serious nature (such as kidnapping and forced baptism). The formal petition to the reigning Pope is signed by twelve Christian advocates, who had the courage to intervene on behalf of their Jewish countrymen. The petition cites previous papal bulls over the centuries that saw the Jews in a more favorable light and asks that those more favorable conditions be restored. The petition was denied. EJ XIV, cols. 250-1