- Original name:
- Giovanni Angelo de’ Medici
- Born:
- March 31, 1499, Milan [Italy]
- Died:
- Dec. 9, 1565, Rome, Papal States [Italy] (aged 66)
- Title / Office:
- pope (1559-1565)
- Founder:
- Index Librorum Prohibitorum
- House / Dynasty:
- Medici family
Pius IV
-
Who was Pius IV?
Pius IV, born Giovanni Angelo Medici, was Pope from 1559 to 1565. Ordained in 1545, he rose to become archbishop and cardinal before his election as pope on December 25, 1559.
Pius IV is most known for reconvening and concluding the Council of Trent, which had been suspended since 1552. Despite initial obstacles, his conciliatory approach and collaboration with his nephew, Charles Borromeo, led to successful reforms that restored the Catholic Church's pastoral efficiency. The council was dissolved in December 1563, and Pius confirmed its decrees in the bull Benedictus Deus.
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When did Pius IV serve as pope?
Pius IV served as pope from 1559 to 1565. Born Giovanni Angelo Medici in Milan, he was elected pope on December 25, 1559. Pius IV reconvened the Council of Trent, which had been suspended since 1552, and dissolved it on December 4, 1563. He then confirmed its decrees in the bull Benedictus Deus. He also launched a building program and patronized Michelangelo. Pius IV died on December 9, 1565.
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What was the Catholic Church like during the time of Pius IV?
During the time of Pius IV (1559–1565), the Catholic Church underwent significant reforms and faced numerous challenges. Pius IV reconvened and concluded the Council of Trent, which addressed doctrinal issues and implemented measures to curb financial abuses and improve pastoral care. The council's reforms gradually restored the pastoral efficiency of the Catholic Church.
However, challenges remained, including preventing France from following Germany into apostasy and dealing with resistance to doctrinal changes. Despite these obstacles, Pius IV's papacy marked a period of reform and consolidation for the Catholic Church in response to the Protestant Reformation.
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What important council did Pius IV help to finish?
Pope Pius IV helped bring the Council of Trent to a close. The council, which spanned from 1545 to 1563, addressed issues raised by the Reformation and clarified Roman Catholic doctrines. Pius IV issued a bull in 1560 to reconvene it, and the opening session occurred in 1562.
The Council of Trent defined the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, affirmed the mass as a true sacrifice, and addressed holy orders, matrimony, purgatory, indulgences, and the veneration of saints. After the council concluded, Pius IV confirmed its decrees in 1564 and published a summary of its doctrinal statements. The council's catechism appeared, and the missal and breviary were revised.
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How did Pius IV impact church reforms or changes?
Pius IV, pope from 1559 to 1565, significantly impacted church reforms by reconvening and concluding the Council of Trent. Despite initial obstacles, Pius issued a bull of convocation in 1560, leading to the council's resumption in 1562.
Under his leadership, the council addressed critical issues such as the Eucharist, the mass, holy orders, matrimony, purgatory, indulgences, and the veneration of saints. The council also prioritized the education of future clergy and emphasized the importance of preaching. Financial abuses were brought under control, and the appointment of relatives to church offices was prohibited.
Pius IV confirmed the council's decrees in 1564 and facilitated the publication of a summary of its doctrinal statements. Additionally, he initiated the drafting of the Index of Forbidden Books and the reform of the catechism, missal, and breviary. These reforms contributed to restoring the pastoral efficiency of the Roman Catholic Church.
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What are some lasting effects of Pius IV's actions as pope?
Pope Pius IV (1559–65) is remembered for reconvening and concluding the Council of Trent. His actions led to the restoration of the pastoral efficiency of the Roman Catholic Church.
- Council of Trent Pius IV's conciliatory attitude and his advisor Charles Borromeo helped to calm imperial opposition during the Council. The Council brought about effective reforms that gradually restored the pastoral efficiency of the Roman Catholic Church.
- Doctrinal Summary In his bull Benedictus Deus (Jan. 26, 1564), Pius confirmed the Council's decrees. On November 3 of the following year, he published a summary of doctrine known as the Professio Fidei Tridentina, which he made obligatory for bishops.
- Completion of Works Pius was tasked with completing several important works recommended or initiated by the Council. These included drafting the Index of Forbidden Books and reforming the catechism, missal, and breviary.
- Building Programs Having revived the Roman university, Pius launched an energetic building program, patronizing Michelangelo.
3 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Pius IV (born March 31, 1499, Milan [Italy]—died Dec. 9, 1565, Rome, Papal States [Italy]) was an Italian pope (1559–65) who reconvened and concluded the Council of Trent.
A canon lawyer, in 1545 he was ordained and consecrated archbishop of Ragusa and in 1547 was appointed papal vice legate for Bologna. He was made cardinal priest in 1549.
After a long conclave Giovanni was elected pope on Dec. 25, 1559, as Pius IV. Though he had long agreed with those who saw a need for definite reforms, particularly of nepotism, in the Curia, he called his own nephew Charles Borromeo, to Rome, where he created him cardinal deacon in 1560. Pius nevertheless took prompt action to bring Cardinal Carlo Carafa, his brother, Giovanni, and Pope Paul IV’s nephews to trial, which resulted in their controversial execution on March 6, 1561. He concurrently collaborated with Borromeo in composing crucial letters appealing to Europe’s Roman Catholic princes to resume the Council of Trent, which had been suspended since 1552.
Despite the peace between France and Spain, many obstacles stood in the way of the council. The Holy Roman emperor Ferdinand I, still hoping for the return of the Lutherans to the Roman church, sympathized with doctrinal concessions in their favour; King Philip II of Spain, on the contrary, opposed any change and was cool toward reopening the council, and the Roman Curia was totally opposed to any doctrinal change, though willing to discuss the reform of abuses. Pius was prepared to concede communion in both kinds and perhaps also clerical marriage. He especially hoped to prevent France from following Germany into apostasy.
Pius’ bull of convocation was issued on Nov. 29, 1560; the opening session took place on Jan. 18, 1562. A year was spent in overcoming major differences, and the outcome was an almost unmitigated triumph for the papacy. With Borromeo as his chief adviser, Pius’ conciliatory attitude calmed imperial opposition. The effective reforms of the council gradually restored the pastoral efficiency of the Roman Catholic church and represented the middle-of-the-road conservative Catholics. The council was dissolved on Dec. 4, 1563, and Pius confirmed its decrees and definitions in his bull Benedictus Deus (Jan. 26, 1564); on the following November 3, he published a summary of doctrine generally known as the Professio Fidei Tridentina (“Tridentine Profession of the Faith”), imposing it on the bishops as obligatory.
Several important works that the council recommended or initiated but could not effectually carry out were given to Pius for completion; among these were drafting the Index of Forbidden Books and reforming the catechism, missal, and breviary. In 1564 he made Borromeo cardinal priest, designating him chief reformer of the Curia and head of the Consulta, thus making him secretary of state. Under the direction of Borromeo, the catechism was completed some months after Pius’ death. Pius also encouraged St. Teresa of Ávila’s celebrated Carmelite reform and reduced the powers of the Inquisition. Having revived the Roman university, he launched an energetic building program, patronizing Michelangelo.
Pius did not long outlive the conclusion of the legal enactment of the Counter-Reformation, and his desire for a continued endeavour to reconvert the German Protestants died with him. During his last days the stiff taxation needed for his reform caused a conspiracy against him.
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