Paulpopes

Paul (popes), the name of five popes: -

Paul III. (Alessandro Farnese), (1468-1549), succeeded Clement VII. in 1534. Although he was a dissolute and self-seeking prelate, he showed both zeal and prudence in the measures he took to subvert Protestantism. In 1540 he gave his sanction to the Jesuit order, and in 1545 convoked the Council of Trent. He issued a bull excommunicating and deposing Henry VIII. (1538), and refused to end the religious struggle in Germany by countenancing the Interim of Charles V.

Paul IV. (Giovanni Pietro Carafpa), (1476-1559), succeeded Marcellus II. in 1555. He was conspicuous before his accession for his ascetic life and his zeal for reform, and, as Pope, strenuously endeavoured to enforce his views of clerical duty and public morality. At the same time he was determined in his opposition to all that he conceived to be heresy, establishing the Inquisition at Rome and issuing the first Index Expurgatorius (q.v.).

Paul V. (Camillo Borghese), (1552-1621), succeeded Leo XI. in 1605. He was engaged in a long struggle with the republic of Venice, which sprang out of the claim of the clergy to freedom from civil jurisdiction. It was at last brought to a close through the interference of Henri IV. of France in 1607.