Arístides de Sousa Mendes

Arístides de Sousa Mendes was a Portuguese diplomat who served as the ambassador to France during World War II. In 1940, faced with the urgent need to save refugees fleeing the Nazi invasion, he defied Portugal’s government and issued thousands of visas to Jewish and other refugees, enabling their escape from Nazi-occupied Europe. His courageous actions saved many lives but led to his dismissal and persecution by Portuguese authorities. Decades later, he was recognized as a hero for his humanitarian efforts, symbolizing moral bravery in the face of political pressure.