Amedeo, a young officer on leave, has come to Rome to have a private audience with the pope. He is put under the surveillance of police officer Diaz, who introduces him to prostitute Aiché with the intent to distract him. Amedeo and Aiché start an affair, but Amedeo still follows his plan, making the acquaintance of a series of clerics in the hope that they will help him. After all his attempts fail and his methods to make contact with the pope become increasingly obtrusive, he is first sent to a Jesuit monastery and later to a mental hospital. Eventually, he dies under the collonades of St. Peter's Square from pneumonia, where his body is identified by Diaz. Diaz is then called to take care of a young man waiting at the entry of the Vatican, who declares that he wants a private audience with the pope.
