The Young Pope : Season 1

After being elected Pope, Lenny Belardo must navigate the politics of Vatican City. He shocks the Vatican with his desire to reject both publicity and the liberal philosophy of his predecessor.

After his inaugural speech makes it clear that he will not be manipulated, Lenny makes enemies within the Vatican. However, he gains one ardent follower.

Lenny plans to lead a resurgence of conservative Christianity as his former mentor, Cardinal Spencer, struggles with Cardinal Voiello over their inability to control Lenny. Lenny forces Voiello to reveal that liberal forces in the College of Cardinals blocked Spencer's election as Pope, resulting in an agreement between the two men to use Lenny as a puppet. When Lenny threatens to excommunicate Voiello, the liberal cardinal is forced to swear loyalty to him. Later, a chance encounter with Esther

Cardinal Voiello urges the young Pope Pius XIII to finally deal with the abuse scandal surrounding American Cardinal Kurtwell. The Pope shocks Voiello by requesting to remove all homosexuals from the Catholic Church without regard to the person. Voiello then tries to force Esther, the wife of a Swiss guardsman, to seduce the pope.