Disillusioned by the Church's direction and its refusal to change with the times, Cardinal Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce) requests permission from Pope Benedict (Anthony Hopkins) to retire. However, Pope Benedict, a stern traditionalist, reveals that he wants to step down himself, and he fears that having Bergoglio leave at the same time could be perceived as a protest. He summons his harshest critic and future successor to Rome to reveal a secret that could shake the foundations of the Catholic Church.

Behind Vatican walls, a struggle commences between tradition and progress as these two very different men confront their pasts in order to find common ground and forge a future for a billion followers around the world. Inspired by true events.