A little Protestant in Rome

In the shimmering heat of a Roman summer, a bright‑eyed boy named Paul sits restlessly in a carriage, his mind already leaping ahead to the moonlit ruins of the Colosseum. His mother, a wistful American expatriate, debates whether to join the nocturnal tour, while a kindly widowed lady offers a quiet commentary on the arena’s once‑sacred past. Paul’s naïve questions about prayer and the differences between Protestants and Catholics set the tone for a gentle, curious exploration of faith amid ancient stone.

The story follows Paul’s first encounters with Rome’s layered history, as he watches the towering amphitheater and listens to grown‑ups discuss memory, loss, and belief. Through his earnest observations, the narrative paints a vivid picture of a child balancing the comfort of his family with the wonder of a city that bears both triumph and tragedy. Listeners will find a tender mix of travel, family dynamics, and quiet theological wonder, all unfolding in a single bright Roman afternoon.