American troops bombed the church of Saint Lorenzo during World War II. The reason for this is that it was the industrial center in Rome. American strategists wanted to slow down the Axis by bombing the area. This put the people of Rome in fear. The marks on the columns can still be seen to this day. The German troops then invaded Rome due to the chaos that ensued. The Pope personally made a visit to Saint Lorenzo to comfort the Roman people and promised to rebuild the church. This shows that the Romans would not accept defeat. They knew their history as a superpower, and they refused to sit in fear. The rebuilding of the church also displayed the faith and religious devotion the Romans had for their religion. The enduring spirit of the Roman people and the concern for their faith shows the complexity and inspiring nature of their culture. In many ways, their devotion to their religion and to the city can be related to the citizens in ancient Rome. It is the intertwining of city and religion that gives this site its beauty and complexity. The Romans refused to be in fear, and they took action to change their situation.