The harder they fall

by napnapnapnap

Summary:

Rise a̶n̶d̶ ̶f̶a̶l̶l̶ of Sua Eminenza Reverendissima Goffredo Tedesco, Patriarch of Venice, told by snapshots of his life and times

or

I have access to the internet and instead of touching grass I choose to ✨​imagine✨​
I decided to expand upon my tumblr posts and write little fics (300 words max) to accompany a few edited and unedited photos. There will be flashbacks, flashforwards, timejumps of every nature, to piece together WHO is Goffredo Tedesco (in canon/fandom eyes). I chose not to dabble in any out-in-the-open relationships (at least for now)
Tell me what you think and byeee

Chapter 1: Roma, Terrazza del Pincio, '81

The air was hot, as it always is in roman summers. But it was especially suffocating for those dressed all in black.
Like... priests, for example.
Don Goffredo Tedesco was in Rome with his Theology classmates, to finally crown their collective learning journey. And he was going to stay there all summer.
It was his first true visit of the Eternal City, and Goffredo fell in love almost immediately. Much like Naples, the city seemed alive, with a heartbeat of its own, voiced in evening shadows and stolen glances. Unlike Naples, this creature was ancient, powerful, immortal. And the young priest felt that listening to God was easier when lost in its embrace.

At midday, the small group stopped for lunch, searching for a break from the scorching heat. From Piazza del Popolo, Goffredo’s gaze trailed up and up, to the Terrazza del Pincio. There, under the cool shadows of the trees, they could finally rest a little.
The priests sat on a stone railing, carving themselves out a little spot. Don Alfonso Gambino*, self-proclaimed guide, extended his hand over to Don Goffredo, and proposed a quick prayer before eating their packed meals, which everyone gladly accepted. A light breeze accompanied their murmured words, lapping at black cassocks drenched in sweat. Perhaps God was truly among them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*(Cardinal) Gambino is mentioned in Conclave (2016) as "one of Tedesco’s strongest supporters". So maybe they were friends? In their youth?
 thanks to a kind commenter that told me Cardinal Montini was in fact Pope Paul VI