Rome airport terminal Change

a) The second flight is an internal flight, there will be no customs or passport control for the second flight. in which case you will need to go through customs and passport control when you land in Rome (but not thereafter).

b) About whether you have enough time I cannot comment, I have never changed at Rome airport.

c) If you booked both flights together as a single booking and miss the connection due to the late arrival of the first flight, then the airline has a legal duty to get you to the final destination. It's their problem.
If you made two separate bookings, then missing the second flight is your problem, in which case the train would be one option.

I did book them together. I know the liability and I have insurance. (I personally wouldn't mind if I 'had' to stay overnight in Rome....).

The purpose of this trip is to surprise my grandchildren, who will probably expect to see me by the time they reach the tiny Naples airport. I was just hoping to 'know' from people who arrive in Rome, go through customs, then go on to another Schengen city. The hour technically allowed doesn't seem to be enough.

The US has such sprawling airports, and I haven't seen a map of the Rome airport that shows how actually far it is, so I was hoping to learn from others' experience.

Thanks for your answering.

You don't have to pick up your luggage and take it through customs at the Rome transfer. Your luggage should be checked through to your final flight destination. You personally will go through immigration/passport check in Rome. When you arrive at your next stop, collect luggage, and exit the airport, you can walk through the customs door marked "nothing to declare," usually without a second glance from the officers.

If you have booked a flight connection to Naples, then there is no benefit to switching to train; train from the airport requires another connection in the center of Rome.

Thanks. Laura. There's a chance I can make it if I don't have to get luggage. (I was thinking of just taking a train as a backup but now I don't think I need to.)

I hate throw a little cold water but immigrations will be the big variable. The last time we were through Rome immigrations took over two hours and it was a Sat in May. However, if the line is long, don't hesitate to grab one of the officers doing crowd control, show them you ticket, and I am sure they will move you to the head of the line.

Frank, thanks so much. I will take your advice and hope for the best!