The title of this movie raises an issue that is never really met head-on in the story, instead, the focus seems to be on a meandering sub-plot. The Pope (Terence Stamp) was once Father Andreani, a teacher of Father Bruno Martello (Fabrizio Bentivoglio) when Father Bruno was studying at the Catholic University. As Father Andreani rises up the hierarchy until the cardinals choose him from among their ranks to be the Supreme Pontiff, Father Bruno errs by breaking his celibacy vows with a gorgeous terrorist and heads in the opposite direction -- actually, to India where he is given a magical mixture that induces a transcendental state, and apparently changes his politics as well. Once back in Italy, he is convinced by opposition bishops to murder the Pope -- but the ex-Father Bruno has his own devious plot in mind. Little does the Pope know what is in store for him, as the altered-consciousness of his old student fixates on a little bit of the mind-bending mixture that he has reserved for very special occasions.