Helped save hundreds of Italian Jews in WWII
Was a hero of the nation
Gino Bartali was the third son of four siblings, son of Torello Bartali. Gino grew up in a religious family in Tuscany, and his devout Catholic belief earned him the nickname "Gino the Pious"; he was a genuinely religious man.
At age 13 he worked in a bicycle shop and at that early age took up racing, a promising amateur; he turned professional in 1935 at age 21
Bartali married Adriana Bani in Florence 14 Nov 1940; the wedding mass was celebrated by the cardinal of Florence and blessed by Pope Pius XII. He was father of 3: a daughter and two sons
Bartali taught Pope John XXIII to ride a bicycle. He prayed daily, made public devotions and, was personally blessed by three popes. He would set up shrines in hotel rooms where he overnighted during races
Yet he was humble and didn't want to talk of his efforts to save the persecuted; he dismissed his risks and dangers
Helped save hundreds of Italian Jews in WWII
Was a hero of the nation
Gino Bartali was the third son of four siblings, son of Torello Bartali. Gino grew up in a religious family in Tuscany, and his devout Catholic belief earned him the nickname "Gino the Pious"; he was a genuinely religious man.
At age 13 he worked in a bicycle shop and at that early age took up racing, a promising amateur; he turned professional in 1935 at age 21
Bartali married Adriana Bani in Florence 14 Nov 1940; the wedding mass was celebrated by the cardinal of Florence and blessed by Pope Pius XII. He was father of 3: a daughter and two sons
Bartali taught Pope John XXIII to ride a bicycle. He prayed daily, made public devotions and, was personally blessed by three popes. He would set up shrines in hotel rooms where he overnighted during races
Yet he was humble and didn't want to talk of his efforts to save the persecuted; he dismissed his risks and dangers