Answer: In August 258 Roman Emperor Valerian issued an edict that all bishops, priests, and deacons should immediately be put to death and their properties and treasures confiscated by the Imperial treasury. In response to this order, Pope Sixtus II was captured on August 6th 258 while celebrating the liturgy and was executed. After the death of Sixtus, it was demanded that Lawrence, who was a deacon in charge of the Church treasury, turn over the riches of the Church to the Imperial treasury. Lawrence asked for three days to “gather the wealth”. Lawrence was given the three-day extension. He then quickly distributed as much Church property to the indigent population as possible, so as to prevent it from being seized by the Imperial treasury. After three days, when ordered to deliver the treasures of the Church, Lawrence presented the indigents, the crippled, the blind, and the suffering, declaring that these were the “true treasures” of the Church. Needless to say, Deacon Lawrence was arrested, quickly tried, and executed.

There are a number of Vatican stamps related to St. Lawrence:


Basilica Of St Lawrence
Scott 128 (1949)

   
Fra Angelico's Painting of Pope Sixtus Confering Deaconate on St. Lawrence
Scott 195 & 196 (1955)


17 Centenary Of The Valerianus Persecutions - St Lawrence
Scott 256 (1959)

   
Art Masterpieces by Beato Angelico - Consecration of St Lawrence and his trial
Scott 1241 & 1243 (1955)

See also
• Saint Lawrence Wikipedia
• Kevin Di Camillo  9 Deacons Who Were Also Saints National Cartholic Register website - https://www.ncregister.com/blog/9-deacons-who-were-also-saints
• James C. Hamilton St. Lawrence Receiving the Treasures of the Church by Fra Angelico Vatican Notes Volume 67 Year: 2019 Issue 381 2019 Pages 8-9
> • Anonymous The Martyrs Of The Persecution Of Emperor Valeriano Vatican Notes Volume 8 Issue 1 1959 Pages 5-8