ACT ONE

It is 1978, the year of the three Popes, The funeral of Pope Paul VI draws cardinals from around the world as speculation and conspiracies develop over who will be elected the next Pope.  The fourth ballot confirms the reluctant Cardinal Luciani of Venice as Pope John Paul I.  As he accepts his election, he says ominously, “God forgive you for what you have done”.

​

In a flashback, Father Magee a secretary to the Pope is initiated into the forbidden P2 Masonic Lodge to further his career.  After the investiture of Pope John Paul I, Nikodim, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, dies from a suspected poisoning.  Vatican security warns Pope John Paul I that the poisoning may have been meant for him.

 

​

ACT TWO                   

In a flashback, Father Magee is promoted to the 2nd Masonic degree. In the present, he is enlisted by the Grandmaster Gelli to spy on Pope John Paul I.  Meanwhile, Pope John Paul I’s first crisis is how to resolve Cardinal Cody of Chicago’s extravagant and licentious lifestyle with his mistress.  Tens of millions of dollars are missing from his diocese.  As Cody refuses to resign, ironically, it is left to Grandmaster Gelli to assist the Church.

 

Pope John Paul I’s second crisis is with the Italian and American authorities who claim that the Vatican Bank is involved in money laundering and tax evasion.  Pope John Paul I feels trapped in “a temple full of money changers” as the authorities threaten to freeze the assets of the Vatican Bank. 

 

In a flashback, Luciani and Lorenzi meet Sister Lucia, the surviving witness to the miracle of Our Lady of Fatima.  Her prophecy regarding Luciani is further developed with “Christ’s crown and Christ’s days”.  Father Magee is elevated to 3rd degree Master Mason.

​

​

ACT THREE

Pope John Paul I’s third crisis occurs when he discovers that the list of P2 lodge members includes senior Vatican officials. After this  discovery, Pope John Paul I relieves Villot, Marcinkus and other high ranking  prelates of their posts in the Vatican.   As a result, Gelli, in Argentina, orders the Pope to be killed.

 

Father Magee faclitates the murder of Pope John Paul I to  save his career and sinful gay lifestyle.  Villot engineers the cover-up of the murder.  Later, Villot finds Magee cowering in a chapel and informs him that he has to leave Rome for a  while.  

 

A funeral Mass is  held where Villot recalls the ominous words of Luciani: ”God forgive  you for what you have done”.  A new Pope, John Paul II, the “Polish Pope”, is elected.