The bastard son of a murdered father, Giulio is adopted by his grieving uncle, Lorenzo, and brought up with his cousins. In 1488, they are joined by a young boy with a talent for sculpture called Michelangelo.

Giulio's thrown out of town with his cousins and spends years traveling incognito around Europe with Giovanni.

Giulio hits the big time when Giovanni is elected Pope. Giulio becomes the Archbishop of Florence and then Cardinal. His cousin’s constant companion, he is the “fixer” behind the scenes - fobbing off angry creditors and pawning jewels to fund Leo’s over-indulgence.

With his cousin's death Giulio becomes Pope Clement VII and is embroiled in the problems of the day; Henry VIII’s demands for a divorce land on his desk; The Holy Roman Emperor refuses to hand over Martin Luther; the French King always threatens to invade. Clement ticks them all off.

In May 1527, Clement is stuck in the Vatican as the town is trashed in the Sack of Rome. In front of his eyes, Rome is destroyed. He escapes dressed as a servant.