1517, Rome
War is being declared on the Vatican…
Progress on St Peter’s Basilica has been slow, but stone by stone the walls are rising. The stress has taken its toll on Cristina Falchoni, who is struggling with failing health. She keeps it a secret from everyone, but deep down she fears it is more serious than just exhaustion.
A new Pope is in the Vatican, Leo X, a Medici. He brings a fresh burst of energy and understands that the new Basilica is a chance to immortalise the Medici dynasty. Determined to accelerate the building works, he initiates the selling of Indulgences, whereby the rich can buy forgiveness for their sins.
But it causes a dangerous backlash, with Reformers demanding change.
When Cristina encounters the charismatic Martin Luther in person, she starts to realise that her zeal to build St Peter’s has inadvertently helped bring about the very collapse in Church authority she was trying to avoid.
And as the gold being sent to the Vatican is intercepted, it seems there are many willing to murder for the riches…
Has Cristina’s entire life been misguided? Is her faith in Rome misplaced?
Or have God’s plans for St Peter’s been far more complicated than Cristina could ever have imagined?