DISCUSSION GUIDE

1.  Each character has very distinct views on religion.

Did they change by the end of the novel?

2.  Did any of your perspectives on religion change while reading?

3.  Where was the common ground in their discussions?

Where did they disagree?

4.  Which location during their travels would you most

want to visit?

5. How was family love emphasized or portrayed in the novel?

6.  How did Paolo and Rosa’s relationship change from

the beginning to the end?

7.  How did the Pope and Dalai Lama’s dreams affect

the course of the novel?

8.  Do you believe everyone needs to take a step back from

their routines of everyday life? Why?

9.  In the end, do you think the trip was worth the risk for

the Pope and Dalai Lama? For Paolo and Rosa?

10.  What is the key message you’ll take away with you from

this novel?

11.  How important is Cynthia’s appearance and the

conversation with her near the end of the novel?

12.  Did you recognize her from Vatican Waltz, and did you

recognize the characters from Merullo’s bestselling novel Breakfast with Buddha

• On the importance of forgiveness: "The Lord never tires of forgiving. It is we who tire of asking for forgiveness." 

• On mercy and compassion: "A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just." 

• On the Church: "I see the church as a field hospital after battle," says BrainyQuote. 

• On the nature of truth: "Where there is truth, there is also light, but don't confuse light with the flash." 

• On the importance of hope: "Let us be lights of hope!" 

• On embracing humanity: "Embrace with tender affection the whole of humanity, especially the poorest, the weakest, the least important." 

• On faith and action: "Holiness doesn't mean doing extraordinary things, but doing ordinary things with love and faith." 

• On the importance of listening and slowing down: "Often it is better simply to slow down, to put aside our eagerness in order to see and listen to others, to stop rushing from one thing to another and to remain with someone who has faltered along the way." 

• On the power of simple actions: "Do few things but do them well, simple joys are holy." 

• On overcoming fear: "God's love calls us to move beyond fear." 

• On the importance of family: "The family is the first essential cell of human society." 

• On the value of dialogue: "My wish is that the dialogue between us should help to build bridges connecting all people, in such a way that everyone can see in the other not an enemy, not a rival, but a brother or sister to be welcomed and embraced!" 

• "The purpose of our lives is to be happy". 

• "Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions". 

• "A disciplined mind leads to happiness, and an undisciplined mind leads to suffering". 

On Compassion and Kindness:

• "Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive". 

• "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion".

• "My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness". 

• "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible". 

On Peace and Inner Strength:

• "We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves". 

• "Hard times build determination and inner strength". 

Other Notable Quotes:

• "Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck". 

• "Choose to be optimistic. It feels better". 

• "Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality".