In a surprise upset, American Lenny Belardo ascends to the position of Pope, beating out his mentor Cardinal Spencer. As Pope Pius XIII, Belardo navigates the intrigue of the Vatican while instituting one of the most conservative agendas in modern history. Belardo installs his childhood savior, Sister Mary, as his valued advisor and confidant, and he elevates his childhood friend to Cardinal. Along the way, Belardo deals with competing interests, the people harmed by his rigidly conservative edicts, professional jealousies and potentially compromising situations. Offbeat and vivid visuals, flashbacks and dream sequences provide insight into Belardo's mind.