8.0/102,144 votes#1 - First Episode (1)
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 10/21/2016
Newly elected Pope Pius XIII, a.k.a. Lenny Belardo, defies Vatican expectations as he begins his reign.
Director: Paolo Sorrentino
Writer: Paolo Sorrentino
8.2/101,762 votes#2 - First Episode (2)
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 10/21/2016
Lenny sets down the ground rules for his first speech at St. Peter's. Cardinal Spencer spurns an olive branch.
Director: Paolo Sorrentino
Writer: Paolo Sorrentino
7.9/101,568 votes#3 - Second Episode
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 10/28/2016
After his inaugural speech makes it clear that he will not be manipulated, Lenny makes enemies within the Vatican. However, he gains one ardent follower.
Director: Paolo Sorrentino
Writer: Paolo Sorrentino, Stefano Rulli
7.9/101,466 votes#4 - Third Episode
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/28/2016
Believing that the only way to end Lenny's papacy is to involve him in a scandal, Cardinal Secretary of State Voiello blackmails Ester to seduce the pontiff.
Director: Paolo Sorrentino
Writer: Paolo Sorrentino, Stefano Rulli
8.5/101,487 votes#5 - Fourth Episode
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 11/4/2016
Lenny enjoys a night away from the Vatican with a childhood friend, whilst Voiello has a crisis of conscience when an opportunity presents itself.
Director: Paolo Sorrentino
Writer: Paolo Sorrentino
8.0/101,316 votes#6 - Fifth Episode
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 11/4/2016
Nine months into Lenny's papacy, he gives his first audience to the Italian prime minister. Dussolier carries out a controversial edict.
Director: Paolo Sorrentino
Writer: Paolo Sorrentino
7.8/101,265 votes#7 - Sixth Episode
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 11/11/2016
Dussollier blames himself after a tragedy and returns to Honduras. With Lenny's supporters dwindling, he questions whether his papacy is coming to an end.
Director: Paolo Sorrentino
Writer: Paolo Sorrentino, Tony Grisoni
8.6/101,453 votes#8 - Seventh Episode
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 11/11/2016
Reeling from a personal loss, Pope Pius XIII makes an impulsive decision to visit Africa, meeting a revered missionary who stirs mixed feelings inside him.
Director: Paolo Sorrentino
Writer: Paolo Sorrentino, Tony Grisoni
8.7/101,568 votes#9 - Eighth Episode
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 11/18/2016
Gutierrez is dejected by his failure to find evidence against Cardinal Kurtwell, but a new witness may be able to give him what he is looking for.
Director: Paolo Sorrentino
Writer: Paolo Sorrentino, Umberto Contarello
8.7/101,472 votes#10 - Ninth Episode
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 11/18/2016
Pope Pius XIII prepares to reveal himself publicly for the first time in a pastoral visit to Venice, but not before settling some scores.
Director: Paolo Sorrentino
Writer: Paolo Sorrentino, Umberto Contarello
The Best Episodes of The Young Pope Season 1
Every episode of The Young Pope Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Young Pope Season 1!
Lenny Belardo, the youngest and first American Pope in the history of the Church, must establish his new papacy and navigate the power struggles of...
Genre:Drama
Network:Sky Atlantic
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"First Episode (1)" is the best rated episode of "The Young Pope" season 1. It scored 8/10 based on 2144 votes. Directed by Paolo Sorrentino and written by Paolo Sorrentino, it aired on 10/21/2016. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "First Episode (2)".