SYNOPSIS
Cardinal Roncalli, the Patriarch of Venice, arrives in Rome following the death of Pope Pius XII with absolutely no intention of becoming pope. He has dedicated his life to others in full accord with the evangelistic message, but has no personal ambition.
However, the Conclave called to appoint the new Pope is more complex than expected. None of the cardinals whose names have been put forward manage to win the two thirds of the votes needed to be elected pope. Roncalli’s name comes into the arena…
Shortly after Pope John XXIII steers the Second Vatican Council towards a renewed approach towards Christianity, encouraging the Church to ‘interfere’ in the Cold War conflict between the USSR and the USA and addressing his encyclical letter ‘Pacem in terris’ not only to Catholics but to ‘all men of good will’. Above all, he becomes the people’s pope: a pope who speaks about the moon, who hugs children and who visits prisons and hospitals. After just 4 years as Pope, he dies on 3 June 1963.
Year: 2002
Format: Miniseries 2×100′
Genre: Drama
Language: Italian
Co-production: Lux Vide, Rai Fiction, Rai Trade, Eos Entertainment
Average viewers: 13.180.000
Average share: 47,49%
Cast
| Pope John XXIII | Edward Asner |
| Angelo Roncalli | Massimo Ghini |
| Ottaviani | Claude Rich |
| Tardini | Michael Mendl |
| Mons. Radini Tedeschi | Franco Interlenghi |
| Rada Krusciova | Sydne Rome |
| Monsignor Dell’Acqua | Roberto Accornero |
| Cardinale Feltin | Jacques Sernas |
| Capovilla | Paolo Gasparini |
| Gusso | Ivan Bacchi |
| Maria giovane sposa | Bianca Guaccero |
| Von Papen | Heinz Trixner |
| Don Rebuzzini | Sergio Fiorentini |
| Zio Saverio | Emilio De Marchi |
| Padre Kurteff | Guido Roncalli |
| Siri | Vincenzo Bellanich |
| Monsignor Samoré | Alvaro Piccardi |
| Papa Rati | Osvaldo Ruggeri |
| Madre di Angelo | Tosca D’Aquino |
| Rosa | Anna Valle |
Crew
| Produced By | Luca Bernabei |
| Directed By | Giorgio Capitani |
| Subject | Francesco Scardamaglia |
| Screenplay | Francesco Scardamaglia, Massimo Cerofolini |
| Story Editors | Gianfranco Cordara, Emmanuel Bonfiglioli |
| Editor | Antonio Siciliano |
| With The Collaboration | Massimo Cerofolini |
| Music | Marco Frisina |
| Costumes Designer | Enrica Biscossi |
| Production Designer | Francesco Vanorio |
| Director of Photography | Luigi Kuveiller |
| Casting | Simona Tartaglia, Vanessa Giorgis, Jeremy Zimmermann, Cornelia Von Braun |
| Executive Producer | Anselmo Parrinello |
| Rai Producer | Francesco Nardella |
| Eos Producer | Ferdinand Dohna |