Giuseppe, a priest from Italy's Campania region and formerly a missionary in Africa, has been working in a small diocese in Rome, but asks to be transferred to a town in his native region when he finds himself in the middle of a spiritual crisis. In a small village outside Naples, Giuseppe fills the shoes of the local parish priest, Don Antonio, known and respected by one and all for his charisma, eloquence and campaigns against the illegal dumping of toxic wastes in the area. For his part, Don Antonio has earned the right to a transfer to Rome. Before he leaves, he fills Giuseppe in about the harsh reality of the neighborhood, and, once on his own, the new priest does his best to help the community in every way he can, until he finds out inconvenient truths about where he's come to live. He chooses to set aside his fears to pursue his spiritual calling, but for all his courage and tenacity, in this tough environment Giuseppe finds himself with his back against the wall.