Why did Pope Paul III call for a general church council?

Pope Paul III called for a general church council because he was convinced that Christian unity and effective church reform could only be achieved through such an assembly.1

Facing the challenges of the Protestant Reformation, Paul III sought to address the internal need for reform—including issues like the ordination of poorly prepared priests, the selection of incompetent bishops, and the accumulation of benefices—as well as to provide an official Roman Catholic response to doctrinal challenges.12

Although previous popes had hesitated to call a council for fear of challenges to papal supremacy, Paul III pursued the project with determination. Despite significant opposition from European monarchs and internal strife, he successfully inaugurated the Council of Trent in 1545. This council became a cornerstone of the Counter-Reformation, serving to clarify Catholic doctrine and enact sweeping disciplinary reforms within the church.12