In Ventotene, a terrorist group has taken a priest and six students’ hostage. Pius XIII finally meets John Paul III and they discuss the crisis. Lenny Belardo reveals himself to the Cardinals, asking them to keep the secret and declaring his support for Voiello and John Paul III. The new Pope, through the words of Pius XIII, threatens the kidnappers. We’re on the brink of a Holy War. But nothing is at it seems: What if the terrorists aren’t Islamic? What if the Church is under threat from different forms of religious fundamentalism? Meanwhile, John Paul III has decided to stand aside and leave the stage of St. Peter’s to Pius XIII, who in his first speech to the faithful embraces Sir John’s path of moderation. That’s the route to take: the middle way.
The New Pope was broadcast on SBS ONE at Monday 3 July 2023, 14:00. This episode was initially placed on Wednesday 12 February 2020.