There are many characters in this story, but the main characters of Bread and Wine are as follows:

Pietro Spina: A man driven by his ideals to change his fascist society into something that works for everyone and that protects even the poorest of the country's citizens. He disguises himself as a much older priest named Don Paolo Spada in order to escape those pursuing him for his revolutionary tactics.

Don Benedetto: Pietro's mentor and father figure and a socialist in fascist Italy.

Bianchina Girasole: A young woman who was dying from complications of an abortion and believes Don Paolo to be a saint because after he forgave her for her sins, she was healed.

Cristina Colamartini: Pietro's love interest who is so devoted to God that she eventually sacrifices her own life trying to bring food to the escaped Pietro at the end of the novel.

Luigi Murica: Pietro's ally who is eventually killed by authorities for his belief in Pietro's cause.

Pietro Spina

Pietro Spina (pee-EH-troh), a former favorite pupil of Don Benedetto. Despite physical hardships and intellectual disappointments, Spina remains faithful to his concept of justice and thus demonstrates that good men will fight, even if unsuccessful, as long as they exist. He ages his features with iodine and as a priest, “Don Paolo Spada,” becomes an antiwar agitator among the mountaineers.

Doctor Nunzio Sacca

Doctor Nunzio Sacca (NEWN-zee-oh SAH-kah), an old friend who finds and helps Spina.

Matelena Ricotta

Matelena Ricotta (mah-teh-LAY-nah ree-KOHT-tah), owner of the mountain inn where Spina hides.

Bianchina Girasole

Bianchina Girasole (bee-ahn-KEE-nah jeer-ah-SOH-leh), who considers Spina a saint because he consoled her following an abortion. She seduces Alberto, the brother of her friend Cristina, and becomes a prostitute when sent to Rome by Spina to agitate against the Abyssinian War frenzy.

Cristina Colamartini

Cristina Colamartini (krihs-TEE-nah koh-lah-mahr-TEE-nee), whose devotion to God goes beyond reason. She sacrifices herself to cold and the wolves to carry food to the hidden Spina.

Alberto Colamartini

Alberto Colamartini, the brother of Cristina, and socially above any Girasole.

Pompeo

Pompeo (pom-PAY-oh), the son of a Fossa chemist. Once a reformer, he catches the war frenzy and nearly denounces Spina for writing antiwar slogans on walls.

Romeo

Romeo, head of the antiwar movement in Rome until he is captured.

Uliva

Uliva (ewl-EE-vah), a disillusioned man who is killed by a bomb he is making to blow up a church filled with government officials.

Murica

Murica (mewr-EE-kah), a potential ally in Spina’s struggle to put God back in the affairs of man. He is killed by government authorities.

Don Benedetto

Don Benedetto (beh-neh-DEHT-toh), an old Catholic teacher and Spina’s intellectual mentor.

Marta

Marta, his faithful sister.