Why o’flaherty went to rome?

I don't think this guy was in the book but I did track some information down on him that I think fits your question:

https://ww2gravestone.com/people/oflaherty-hugh-the-scarlet-pimpernel-of-the-vatican/#:~:text=During%20World%20War%20II%2C%20he%20was%20responsible%20for%20saving%206.500,Scarlet%20Pimpernel%20of%20the%20Vatican%E2%80%9D.