Part 2 begins with an epigraph from Giotto di Bondone about Rome and an excerpt from Mussolini’s works describing Rome as the origin of Fascist belief.

Marco rides away from Elisabetta’s house and travels to the Vatican, where he finds his priest brother Emedio. As they walk, Marco asks about their father’s alleged affair. Emedio, who is closest to their mother, confirms the affair, telling him to stay silent about it and avoid Elisabetta.

The first night of Passover, Sandro tells his parents that he will report directly to Professor Levi-Civita at La Sapienza. He also confesses his love for Elisabetta before the family’s friends, the Ferraras, arrive with their daughter Rachele. Shocked, his parents argue that he must marry a Jewish woman.