September 1943, German forces occupy Rome. Gestapo boss Obersturmbannführer Paul Hauptmann rules with terror. Hunger is widespread. Rumours fester. The war’s outcome is far from certain.

Diplomats, refugees and escaped Allied prisoners risk their lives fleeing for protection into Vatican City, the world's smallest state at one fifth of a square mile and a neutral, independent country within Rome.

A small band of unlikely friends led by a courageous priest is drawn into deadly danger. By Christmastime, it’s too late to turn back.

Based on the extraordinary true story of the Rome Escape Line and Father Hugh O’Flaherty who, in the 1930s and 40s, was a long-time resident of the Vatican, a seminary teacher, and an amateur historian of Rome. Records show that he was forbidden by the Pope to assist escaping prisoners of war and also that his own government and the Irish Church were adamant that the neutrality of the young nation of Ireland should not be compromised in any way by actions which appeared to support the Allies against the Nazis.

Only in recent years have some of these documents been released and historians are still poring over the archive. The author Joseph O’Connor admits that he has made free with much of the characterisation and detail but he has also used some of the writings of Hugh O’Flaherty and his records which were shared with him by the Monsignor’s niece and nephew. Including an audio recording of the 1963 edition of This is Your Life which featured another real life character, Major Sam Derry.

Cast:
David Holt Sam Derry
Jot Davies (Narrator)
Fenella Woolgar (Marianna De Vries)
Ben Onwukwe (John May)

Abridged by Jill Waters and Isobel Creed
Produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4 Show less