Who is Pope Paul III?

Pope Paul III was born February 29, 1468. 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 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 convened. 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, the great agents of the Counter-Reformation. In consequence of a violent altercation on this account with Cardinal Farnese, the pope, at the age of eighty-one years, became so overwrought that an attack of sickness ensued from which he died, Nov. 10, 1549.

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