Story Secrets - The Lion, the Bridge and the Wardrobe

What happens when the Room of Tears hides more than just vestments—and opens into a world of snow, silence, and saints? In this magical and deeply symbolic short story, “The Lion, the Bridge, and the Wardrobe,” I reimagine the first moments of Pope Leo XIV after his election. Inspired by C.S. Lewis, the papal name "Leo," and a mysterious door in the Vatican, this tale takes the new pope on a Narnian-style journey through a desolate Rome where bridges have vanished and only a lion remains. Guided by the lion's wisdom, the pope must rebuild a bridge—not just across the Tiber, but between people, generations, and hopes long lost. With the help of living saints and ancient grace, the bridge becomes more than stone—it becomes a path to renewal. It’s a story of courage, calling, and what it means to carry the weight of hope.