Based on the remarkable life of Pope John Paul II, the film was shot on location in Krakow, Poland and in Italy. Historians at the Vatican provided script consultation for the mini-series, and exclusive footage was been filmed on St. Peter's Square, in the Sistine Chapel and in surrounding areas of the Vatican.

Cary Elwes portrays Karol Wojtyla in his adult years prior to being elected Pope on Oct. 16, 1978, and Academy Award winner and multiple Golden Globe Award winner Jon Voight portrays him during his extraordinary 26-year reign that ended with his death on April 2, 2005. Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award nominee James Cromwell, Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Ben Gazzara and Christopher Lee also star in this drama about a man whose papal odyssey encompassed more than 120 countries and earned him the reputation of an international fighter for freedom. It follows Karol Wojtyla's journey from his youth in Poland through his late days on the Chair of St. Peter and explores the 264th Pope's fascinating life behind the scenes: how he managed to touch the hearts of millions of people and change the face of the church and the world; how he defended the dignity of mankind against all kinds of Totalitarianism--from Nazism to Communism to consumerism; and who successfully related to people of all ages.