<P> The Godfather Part III is a 1990 American crime film written by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola, and directed by Coppola . A sequel to The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather Part II (1974), it completes the story of Michael Corleone, a Mafia kingpin who attempts to legitimize his criminal empire . The film also includes fictionalized accounts of two real - life events: the 1978 death of Pope John Paul I and the Papal banking scandal of 1981--82, both linked to Michael Corleone's business affairs . The film stars Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, and Andy García, and features Eli Wallach, Joe Mantegna, George Hamilton, Bridget Fonda, and Sofia Coppola . </P> <P> Coppola and Puzo preferred the title The Death of Michael Corleone, but Paramount Pictures found that unacceptable . Coppola stated that The Godfather series is two films and that The Godfather Part III is an epilogue . It received generally positive reviews, albeit not compared to the critical acclaim that the first two films received . It grossed $136,766,062 and was nominated for seven Academy Awards including the Academy Award for Best Picture . </P> <P> In 1979, Michael Corleone, approaching 60, is racked with guilt over his ruthless rise to power; especially for having ordered Fredo's assassination . He donates part of his tremendous wealth in charitable acts . Michael and Kay are divorced; their children, Anthony and Mary, live with Kay . At the reception following a papal order ceremony in St. Patrick's Old Cathedral in Michael's honor, Anthony tells his father that he is leaving law school to become an opera singer . Kay supports his decision, but Michael wants Anthony to either complete his law degree or join the "family business". Michael and Kay have an uneasy reunion when Kay reveals that she and Anthony know the truth about Fredo's death . Vincent arrives at the reception . He is embroiled in a feud with Joey Zasa . When Connie arranges for Vincent to meet Zasa, who calls Vincent a bastard, Vincent bites Zasa's ear . Although Michael is troubled by Vincent's fiery temper, he is impressed by his loyalty, so agrees to include him in the business . </P> <P> Knowing that Archbishop Gilday, head of the Vatican Bank, has accumulated a massive deficit, Michael offers the Bank $600 million in exchange for shares in Internazionale Immobiliare, an international real estate company, which would make him its largest single shareholder with six seats on the company's 13 - member board . He makes a tender offer to buy the Vatican's 25% share in the company, which will give him controlling interest . Immobiliare's board quickly approve the offer, pending ratification by the Pope . </P>

When does the godfather part 3 take place