What Is Miracle in Rome About?
The premise of Miracle in Rome in 280 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the shadow of the Andes, the quiet town of Filandia lives under a gentle rhythm of daily rituals and deep‑rooted faith. Here, Margarito Duarte works as a modest court clerk, his life revolving around the simple devotion he shares with his seven‑year‑old daughter, Evelia. Their bond is tender and unpretentious, defined by small gifts and quiet evenings, until an inexplicable tragedy shatters their world and leaves Margarito cradling a grief that feels both personal and communal.
Twelve years after the loss, the discovery of Evelia’s remarkably preserved remains ignites a stir that ripples through the town’s tight‑knit fabric. The locals, steeped in Catholic tradition, interpret the phenomenon as a possible sign of sanctity, and the idea of a Colombian saint begins to hover over the streets like a whispered prayer. Driven by a father’s unyielding love and a community’s hopeful murmur, Margarito gathers the town’s modest contributions and sets his sights on a pilgrimage that could place his daughter before the eyes of the Holy See. The prospect of a papal verdict infuses the journey with a blend of reverence and bureaucratic intrigue, hinting at the delicate dance between faith and institution.
Arriving in Rome, Margarito steps into a world of grand marble corridors, diplomatic propriety, and a bustling diaspora that balances cultural pride with political opportunity. He is offered a seat beside Antonio, a charismatic Colombian opera singer whose own aspirations echo the city’s promise of reinvention. Amid opulent basilicas and solemn Vatican chambers, Margarito carries his quiet determination, confronting the solemn procedures of the Church while remaining steadfast to the intimate, steadfast love that has guided him from the Andes to the heart of the Catholic world.
What Happens in Miracle in Rome?
The complete story of Miracle in Rome, from the first scene to the last, in 702 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Margarito Duarte, Frank Ramírez, is a modest employee of the local court in Filandia, a small Colombian town on the slopes of the Andes. Abandoned by his wife, Margarito is devoted to his only child, Evelia, Amalia Duque García, his seven-year-old daughter. One day, after Evelia’s school day is over, Margarito waits for his daughter at home with a present, an acrobatic flipping monkey. Evelia dies suddenly, for no apparent reason.
Twelve years later, Margarito visits the cemetery to exhume the remains of his child in order to prevent them from being placed in a mass grave after the parish has decided to construct a new cemetery. Taking the corpse out of its crypt, Margarito is surprised to find Evelia’s body intact. She looks as if she had just gone to sleep, although the coffin is rotted all around her. This creates a commotion at the cemetery, where people believe that this is a miracle and that the child might be a saint. The event has such profound effect on the town that the local priest invites the bishop of Armenia to determine the religious nature of what has taken place, a decision that weighs heavily on Margarito and the community. The bishop, Santiago García, is surprised to see not only that Evelia looks in perfect condition but that the girl’s body is even warm. The bishop questions Margarito regarding the girl’s religious background, and the priest mentions that the toy monkey began to work unexpectedly at the funeral. However, the bishop is skeptical. Not believing there has been a miracle, he orders the girl’s body to be buried again and specifies that the coffin should be watered to help decompose the body. Yet Margarito, having regained his child, has no intention of committing a crime by drowning her.
At the very moment that the bishop is making his visit, a total solar eclipse takes place. For the people of Filandia, there is no doubt: the crowd turns against the bishop and, indirectly supporting Margarito’s intentions, they shout that the girl is a saint. They rally together, organizing an emergency collection that raises a substantial sum to send father and daughter to Rome, “for the Holy Father to decide about the miracle,” as the townspeople hope.
In Rome, Margarito is welcomed by the Colombian ambassador and his secretary, who are fully aware of the political advantages to be gained from facilitating the process of verifying the first Colombian saint. The secretary of the ambassador, Lisandro Duque Naranjo, arranges for Margarito to live as the roommate of Antonio, a fellow Colombian and opera singer whom the embassy hopes will advance his career. Antonio, as the man is known in the circles of music, is a practical and generous companion, and Margarito moves with him but rejects the embassy’s help, unwilling to politicize his daughter’s beatification. He carries with him a letter of recommendation and a large suitcase that contains his daughter whenever he travels.
Alone, sober, and dignified, Margarito faces the Vatican ecclesiastical authorities, who are cautious and bureaucratic, often steering conversations toward the embassy route to promote the beatification process. He advances slowly, but not without obstacles, until a would-be mentor appears—a bishop who seems willing to help, only to turn out to be an impostor who swindles Margarito out of much of his money.
Meanwhile, Antonio pursues his own path in music, and a pivotal moment comes when his singing test seems to shatter windows with the power of his voice, drawing ovations not seen since Caruso. He attributes the miraculous moments to Margarito, whom he regards as the true saint, admiring his friend’s steadfast devotion to Evelia, his dignified demeanor, and his unwavering persistence. The embassy’s and the Italian authorities’ pressure to bury the body grows, and Margarito pleads with his daughter to wake up and return to him. The toy monkey begins to move on its own, and Evelia’s body finally shows signs of life, waking just enough to confirm Margarito’s deepest belief.
A father’s love has prevailed over death’s relentless claim; in Rome, a miracle seems to have taken place, proving that devotion, humanity, and a child’s memory can transcend even the stubborn boundaries of life and death.
Miracle in Rome Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Evelia's death in Filandia” to “The resurrection and the miracle in Rome”. 13 events name a place, across 4 locations.
- 1
Evelia's death in Filandia
Margarito, a modest court employee in Filandia, waits for Evelia with a gift—a flipping monkey. Evelia greets him with a kiss and hug before she dies suddenly from an unknown cause. Margarito is left devastated by the loss of his beloved daughter.
When:Day of Evelia's death Where:Filandia
- 2
Twelve years later: exhumation plan
Twelve years have passed since Evelia's death. Margarito returns to the cemetery to exhume her remains so they won't be buried in a mass grave as the parish plans to construct a new cemetery. The townspeople watch with a mix of reverence and curiosity as the procedure begins.
When:Twelve years later Where:Filandia Cemetery
- 3
Evelia's coffin appears intact
To everyone's astonishment, Evelia's coffin is rotted around but the corpse looks as if she had fallen asleep and remains warm. Margarito is stunned by the sight and the crowd buzzes with whispers of a miracle. The discovery triggers the town's heated debate over what is happening.
When:During exhumation Where:Filandia Cemetery
- 4
The monkey's mysterious behavior
The toy monkey begins to move on its own during the funeral, stirring further talk of a miraculous intervention. The bishop is summoned to determine whether this is sacred or merely superstition. Margarito stands by his daughter's side, steadfast and hopeful.
When:During inquiry Where:Filandia
- 5
Bishop orders burial and coffin watering; Margarito refuses
The bishop orders Evelia's body to be buried again and the coffin watered to speed decomposition. Margarito refuses to allow harm to his daughter or to sabotage the apparent miracle. Tension rises as the community weighs belief against skepticism.
When:During bishop's directive Where:Filandia Cemetery
- 6
Solar eclipse and the crowd's belief
As the bishop visits, a total solar eclipse darkens the sky. The crowd in Filandia turns against doubt and shouts that Evelia is a saint. The episode cements the sense that something beyond explanation has happened.
When:During the bishop's visit Where:Filandia
- 7
Emergency collection to send Evelia to Rome
The town organizes an emergency collection to raise funds for Margarito and Evelia to travel to Rome for the Holy Father's judgment. Neighbors, parishioners, and local merchants contribute generously, driven by a belief in a higher sanction. Margarito carries his daughter's case with quiet dignity.
When:Immediately afterward Where:Filandia
- 8
Margarito arrives in Rome and meets the ambassador
Margarito is welcomed in Rome by the Colombian ambassador and his secretary, who see strategic value in the boy's case. He travels to stay with Antonio, a fellow Colombian opera singer, but rejects embassy help to avoid politicizing the process. Margarito carries his daughter's belongings with restraint and dignity.
When:Arrival in Rome Where:Rome
- 9
Margarito's modest stance and Vatican gatekeeping
In the Vatican, Margarito faces bureaucratic obstacles as curia officials promote the embassy route. He remains calm and determined, presenting a letter of recommendation and his daughter's story. The steps toward beatification move slowly under a veil of red tape.
When:Early in Vatican process Where:Vatican, Rome
- 10
Antonio's audition and Margarito's influence
Antonio's singing test draws attention as his voice fills the room and even shatters windows, an event the crowd compares to Caruso’s era. Margarito quietly supports his friend, honoring Evelia and his daughter's memory with his steadfast faith. Antonio credits Margarito as the true catalyst behind the miraculous attention.
When:During the audition Where:Rome
Show the other 3 events of Miracle in Rome Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Bureaucracy and the swindling bishop
The embassy secretary and mortuary authorities press Margarito to accept the embassy-driven path, while a fake bishop swindles him out of much of his money. Margarito's resolve does not waver as he continues to seek a direct religious examination. The financial and administrative pressure is intense but he remains dignified.
When:During negotiations Where:Rome
- 12
Margarito begs Evelia to wake; the monkey moves
Margarito pleads with Evelia to wake, and the toy monkey begins to play by itself in the surroundings used for the pilgrimage. Evelia's body shows signs of life as Margarito's hope grows, even as the machinery of the Vatican looms. The moment blends longing with the uncanny as the impossible starts to seem plausible.
When:Climax of waiting Where:Rome
- 13
The resurrection and the miracle in Rome
Evelia awakens, and Margarito's joy is complete as the miracle seems to overcome death. The crowd—and eventually the Church authorities—acknowledge the extraordinary event, turning the Rome trip into a symbol of faith. The film closes on a note that love can conquer time and doubt.
When:Climax / Miracle in Rome Where:Rome
Who Are the Main Characters in Miracle in Rome?
5 characters, among them Margarito Duarte (Frank Ramírez), Niña Evelia (Amalia Duque García) and Antonio (Tenor) (Gerardo Arellano): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- MD
Margarito Duarte (Frank Ramírez)
Played by Frank Ramírez
A modest court employee in Filandia whose life centers on his seven-year-old daughter Evelia after his wife leaves. He is quiet, dignified, and relentlessly devoted, choosing to pursue Evelia’s memory and potential sainthood with steadfast perseverance. His moral compass and humility drive the journey to Rome and his resistance to cynical manipulation.
- 👨👧 Family
- 🙏 Faith
- 💪 Dignity
- 🗺️ Journey
- NE
Niña Evelia (Amalia Duque García)
Played by Amalia Duque García
Margarito's seven-year-old daughter, whose sudden death shatters the family. Her preserved, warm body years later is interpreted as a miracle, making her the focal point of faith and municipal action. Though physically absent, her presence motivates everyone around Margarito.
- 👧 Child
- 🙏 Innocence
- ✨ Miracle
- A(
Antonio (Tenor) (Gerardo Arellano)
Played by Gerardo Arellano
A fellow Colombian and aspiring opera singer living with Margarito in Rome, pursuing a soloist career. His talent and charisma propel the plot, as he credits Margarito’s devotion for his own artistic breakthroughs. His performance literally shakes people and contributes to the sense of a miraculous moment.
- 🎭 Art
- 🎵 Talent
- 🧡 Friendship
- OD
Obispo de Armenia (Santiago García)
Played by Santiago García
The visiting bishop who is skeptical of the miracle, to protect doctrinal boundaries while mediating the process. He questions Evelia's religious background and pushes for normal church procedures, including burial under orders. He embodies institutional caution in tension with believers' hopes.
- ⛪ Religion
- ⚖️ Skepticism
- 🗂️ Authority
- SD
Secretario de Embajada (Lisandro Duque Naranjo)
Played by Lisandro Duque Naranjo
An embassy secretary who navigates politics to use the case for Colombia’s image on the world stage. He coordinates Margarito's stay and the bureaucratic path, often prioritizing procedure over humanity. His role showcases the intersection of diplomacy, power, and faith.
- 🧭 Diplomacy
- 🏛️ Politics
- 💼 Bureaucracy
Where and When Is Miracle in Rome Set?
Miracle in Rome is set in Filandia and Rome. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
Set in the modern era, the story spans years after Evelia's death, moving from a rural Colombian town to international institutions. Contemporary elements include an embassy, a Vatican curia, and public interest that transcends borders. A total solar eclipse occurs during the Vatican visit, heightening the drama and sense of portent.
Where
Filandia, Rome
Filandia is a small Colombian town on the slopes of the Andes, with quaint streets and a tight-knit community. The local cemetery, parish, and everyday life frame the tragedy and the miracle that follows. The narrative later shifts to Rome, where the Vatican becomes the stage for testing Evelia's apparent sainthood.
- 🏔️ Andes foothills
- 🇨🇴 Colombia
- ⛪ Catholic town
What Are the Themes of Miracle in Rome?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Faith & Miracle, Family & Love and Bureaucracy & Faith.
-
01
Faith & Miracle
Faith drives the community's response to Evelia's apparent preservation and warmth. People interpret the event as a miracle, challenging the bishop's skepticism. The film explores whether divine signs can be validated within institutional processes. The eclipse heightens the moment, underscoring belief and doubt.
-
02
Family & Love
Margarito's devotion to Evelia defines his every choice and grounds the film's emotional core. His patient, dignified persistence contrasts with the bureaucratic pressures around him. His quest to preserve his daughter's memory drives the journey to Rome. Love becomes the moral force that sustains him through hardship.
-
03
Bureaucracy & Faith
Embassy officials and Vatican clerics push procedural routes that could leverage the miracle for political ends. Margarito faces manipulation from impostors and money-driven schemes. The tension between institutional skepticism and personal belief lies at the heart of the drama. The community's unity challenges cynicism and creates momentum to seek truth.
-
04
Art & Recognition
Antonio, a Colombian tenor, embodies how art can illuminate belief and elevate personal stories. His singing test and the power of his voice suggest a bridge between heaven and earth. The miracle narrative intersects with his career, as public attention reshapes perceptions. Art amplifies the tale, turning private sorrow into a shared spectacle.
What Kind of Film Is Miracle in Rome?
Whimsical in tone, with slow pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Whimsical
- Pacing
- Slow
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A gentle, melancholic yet hopeful journey of a father's unwavering love and faith, blending a quiet, sorrowful tone with whimsical miracles against the slow, bureaucratic backdrop of the Vatican.
- hopeful
- melancholic
- whimsical
- devotional
- miraculous
- quiet
- parental love
- faith and religion
- grief and loss
- miracles
Content notes: child death.
Quiz
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