Edgardo Mortara was a Jewish child born in 1851 in Bologna, Italy. He became famous in the 1850s when he was taken from his family by the authorities after a Catholic servant baptized him without his parents' knowledge. This incident sparked a significant legal and political controversy in Italy and beyond, as it raised questions about religious freedom and the rights of parents. The case of Edgardo Mortara drew attention from various figures, including the Pope and prominent Jewish leaders. His story highlighted the tensions between Catholicism and Judaism in 19th-century Europe, ultimately leading to discussions about the separation of church and state.