The newly elected Pope Pius XIII, an American in the world, Lenny Belardo, contrary to the expectations of the conclave, behaves extremely independently. Upon assuming the papal throne, he declares his intention to realize his plan — to return the Catholic Church to its origins, when love for God was measured by intensity, not by the number of people at mass, and suffering and sacrifice led to faith. The church will no longer comfort and reassure, people must find their own way to God. The new pope is carrying out reforms that are “inconvenient” for the clergy, closing himself off from parishioners and complicating the rite of the liturgy. At the same time, only he has the courage to tackle long-overdue problems in order to lead the church to renewal. The characters in this story, where the tragic and the ridiculous are closely intertwined, are looking for an answer to an important question for every Christian: what is the burden of the Lord and how to live your life with it. Scenes from the novel formed the basis of the famous TV series "The Young Pope". . An outstanding story of a young American with a difficult past who unexpectedly becomes the head of the Roman Catholic Church. – A work that reveals the themes of faith and power from a new angle. – Perfect reading for those who like complex characters. – A book that can be quoted endlessly. – A great gift for fans of the TV series "Young Dad".