WATCH: Jude Law in first official trailer of 'The Young Pope'

The first official trailer for The Young Pope, starring Jude Law as the fictional Pope Pius XIII, has been released.

 Screenshot | Sky Atlantic

The eight-part miniseries will see Law playing Lenny Belardo, the first American Pope in history. The teaser trailer shows him smoking, and pledging to start a revolution.

Asked who he is, Belardo responds: "I'm a contradiction".

"I'm God. One in three and three in one. Like Mary: virgin and mother. Like man: good and evil."

"Young and charming, his election might seem the result of a simple and effective media strategy by the College of Cardinals. But, as we know, appearances can be deceptive," a statement from Sky said.

"Especially in the place and among the people who have chosen the great mystery of God as the guiding light of their existence. That place is the Vatican and those people are the leaders of the Catholic Church. And the most mysterious and contradictory figure of all turns out to be Pius XIII himself.

"Shrewd and naïve, old-fashioned and very modern, doubtful and resolute, ironic, pedantic, hurt and ruthless, Pius XIII tries to walk the long path of human loneliness to find a God for mankind. And for himself."

Directed by Paolo Sorrentino, the series stars Diane Keaton as a nun living in the Vatican City who raised Law's character and helped his ascension to Pope.

It is scheduled to begin showing on Sky Atlantic in the UK in October.

related articles
Jude Law, Benedict Cumberbatch and 40 faith leaders urge support for refugee children in Calais
Jude Law, Benedict Cumberbatch and 40 faith leaders urge support for refugee children in Calais

Jude Law, Benedict Cumberbatch and 40 faith leaders urge support for refugee children in Calais

News
Justice is 'being delivered', say Iranian Christians
Justice is 'being delivered', say Iranian Christians

A global network of Iranian Christians has welcomed targeted strikes against Iran’s leadership by the US and Israel. 

How Greenland got the Bible
How Greenland got the Bible

Greenland has been in the news recently. Despite a Christian presence for a thousand years, Greenland has only had the whole Bible since 1900. This is the story …

YouGov to repeat ‘Quiet Revival’ study amid scrutiny
YouGov to repeat ‘Quiet Revival’ study amid scrutiny

Plans are under way to revisit one of the most debated religion surveys in recent years, as YouGov prepares to repeat its research into church attendance later this year following growing scrutiny of claims about a “quiet revival” in Britain.

The sacred gift of rest: why we must pause and trust God
The sacred gift of rest: why we must pause and trust God

From the very beginning, God established the rhythm of rest.