The New Pope

Pius XIII is in a coma and Voiello manages to have a new Pope elected: Tommaso Viglietti is apparently easy to manipulate, while in actual fact he wants to donate the riches of the Vatican to the needy.

After Viglietti, the College of Cardinals decides on a moderate candidate. John Brannox is the ideal solution. Voiello flies to England to try to convince him, but Brannox is a difficult man, devoured by doubts and, perhaps, by secrets.

Voiello’s persuasiveness has worked. Sir John accepts the candidature and leaves for the Vatican. Everything seems to be going according to plan, but the Secretary of State couldn’t have predicted the moves undertaken by Cardinal Spalletta.

Nuns are on strike. John Paul III travels to Venice to pay a visit to Pius XIII, while the sect that idolizes Belardo grows in number. Meanwhile, tragic events in Lourdes require the presence of the new Pope.

Attracted by the star system, John Paul III meets actress Sharon Stone. An interview that gives the Pope new ideas. Meanwhile, the relationship between the Pontiff and Sofia is becoming deeper and deeper.

A radio is broadcasting the breathing of Pius XIII, now regular and only interrupted by strange sighs. Meanwhile, John Paul III is preparing for a “historic” interview.

Voiello has bowed out while the policies of his successor Assente undermine the credibility of the Church and the terrorist threat becomes more and more menacing.

Voiello discovers the secret of John Paul III. Meanwhile, Lenny Belardo has secretly returned to the Vatican and Voiello, thanks to the striking nuns, acts out his plan to regain power.

A group of terrorists has taken a priest and six students’ hostage in Ventotene. An event that finally leads Pius XIII and John Paul III to confronting each other.