Following an audience with Marilyn Manson, Brannox (John Malkovich) decides to pay a visit to Pius XIII (Jude Law) and is confronted with the intensity of his predecessor's followers. Later, Brannox appoints Cardinal Spalletta (Massimo Ghini), with whom he shares a past, to a new role. Voiello (Silvio Orlando) prepares for a long war with the defiant Sister Lisette (Nora Waldstatten) after the nuns go on strike. The Church faces the prospect of bankruptcy as the Italian government looks to make changes. Gutierrez (Javier Cámara) has a clandestine meeting, which he later confesses to the pontiff. An angry Fabiano (Alessandro Riceci) questions Ester's (Ludivine Sagnier) commitment to her faith. 

Written by Paolo Sorrentino Umberto Contrarello and Stefano Bises; directed by Paolo Sorrentino.