Paul III, 1468–1549, pope (1534–49), a Roman named Alessandro Farnese; successor of Clement VII. He was created cardinal by Alexander VI, and his influence increased steadily. A very astute church diplomat, he directed his efforts chiefly in aid of the reforming party. With his election a new era in the papacy opened, for papal involvement in the Counter Reformation Counter Reformation, 16th-century reformation that arose largely in answer to the Protestant Reformation; sometimes called the Catholic Reformation. Although the Roman Catholic reformers shared the Protestants' revulsion at the corrupt conditions in the church, there
..... Click the link for more information. began. Paul favored a new council to reconcile the Protestants and reform the church. After elaborate preparations, countless intrigues, and several false starts the Council of Trent (see Trent, Council of Trent, Council of, 1545–47, 1551–52, 1562–63, 19th ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church, convoked to meet the crisis of the Protestant Reformation .
..... Click the link for more information. ) convened (1545). At his accession Paul appointed a special commission, made up of the most ardent reformers; this commission was valuable to the council for the information it had on actual conditions in Rome. Paul also patronized the newly founded Jesuits (see Jesus, Society of Jesus, Society of, religious order of the Roman Catholic Church. Its members are called Jesuits. St. Ignatius of Loyola , its founder, named it Companã de Jess [Span.,=(military) company of Jesus]; in Latin it is Societas Jesu (abbr. S.J.).
..... Click the link for more information. ), the great agents of the Counter Reformation. The pope's interest in art was very great: he founded the Farnese Palace, had Michelangelo continue the decoration of the Sistine Chapel, and rebuilt and repaved many streets in Rome. He was succeeded by Julius III.

Paul III

orig. Alessandro Farnese

(born Feb. 29, 1468, Canino, Papal States—died Nov. 10, 1549, Rome) Pope (1534–49). The son of a noble Tuscan family, he was made a cardinal-deacon in 1493 and served as bishop in Parma and Ostia before being named dean of the College of Cardinals by Pope Leo X. Ordained a priest in 1519, he was unanimously elected pope in 1534. Though loose in morals in earlier years (he had three sons and a daughter), he became an efficient promoter of reform, convening the Council of Trent in 1545 and initiating the Counter-Reformation. He also supported the newly founded Jesuits and was a patron of the arts, the last in the tradition of the Renaissance popes.