Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon discovers evidence of the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati – long thought extinct and sworn to the destruction of the Catholic Church. When the brotherhood kidnaps four cardinals on the eve of the Vatican conclave, Langdon is summoned to Rome to help. Partnered with the enigmatic scientist Vittoria Vetra, he embarks on a frantic hunt through sealed crypts, dangerous catacombs, deserted cathedrals, and the most secretive vault on Earth. The chase is on to find the cardinals and unravel a deadly plot that could decimate the Vatican.

In a race against time, Langdon and Vetra must decode a complex trail of symbols and codes that are woven into the very fabric of the city. The duo discovers a terrifying truth involving a long-standing vendetta against the church by a dead scientist's vendetta. As they unravel the layers of mystery, they face a relentless assassin and the growing threat of a catastrophic weapon of ancient origin, poised to bring Rome to ruin. Their quest is fraught with obstacles, intimidation from the highest echelons of power, and the palpable tension of a city under siege.