December 1655. At the height of the wars of the Reformation, when millions died for their faith in battles between Protestants and Catholics, the Queen of Sweden renounces both the throne of the most powerful Protestant nation in Europe and her faith to embrace Catholicism. LIV Ullmann and Academy Award winner Peter Finch star as Swedish Queen Christina and Cardinal Azzolino, the priest assigned to be her confessor in this romantic drama based on true events. Now, as the 29-year-old Christina, who has been raised with court scandal and intrigue, opens her heart to both her confessor and to the Inquisition, love grows between the convert and the Cardinal destined to become Pope. But this bittersweet romance cannot be allowed in their world constrained by the duties of faith and state... and by The Abdication.