Nadia ,a young Russian journalist ,who was politically brought up in the Marxist doctrine,comes to Italy : her mission is to write a report about religion.She sees her sister again, after many years .She also meets Serge ,a Polish young man who lost his whole family and had to take refuge in Italy.There's also father Laurent who epitomizes all that the young reporter has learned to hate .Nadia falls in love with Serge who ignores all about the girl's political mission .Mysterious stains appear on Serge's arm .Father Laurent tells Nadia he has contracted leprosy .For the first time in her life, the young communist feels like praying.When the doctor comes to take Serge to a leper house ,he is stupefied: the patient is healed.