How did Pope Pius IV enforce the decrees of the Council of Trent?

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Title page of a 1568 Welsh Christian doctrine book by Morys Clynnog, featuring Welsh text and a woodcut illustration of the crucifixion of Jesus at the center. — Counter-Reformation Title page of *Athravaeth Gristnogavl* (1568; “Christian Doctrine”), a Roman Catholic catechism translated into Welsh by Morys Clynnog as part of the church's Counter-Reformation efforts.

Pope Pius IV was instrumental in concluding the Council of Trent and formalizing its reforms to advance the Counter-Reformation. He enforced the council's decrees through several key actions:

Confirmation of Decrees: Following the council's dissolution in 1563, Pius IV officially confirmed its definitions and decrees in his bull Benedictus Deus on January 26, 1564.1
Mandatory Profession of Faith: In November 1564, he published the Professio Fidei Tridentina (Tridentine Profession of the Faith), a summary of doctrine that he made obligatory for all bishops.1
Administrative Reform: He tasked his nephew, Saint Charles Borromeo, with the role of chief reformer of the Roman Curia, overseeing the implementation of council-recommended projects.1
Liturgical and Educational Standardization: Pius IV initiated the reform of the catechism, missal, and breviary, and oversaw the drafting of the Index of Forbidden Books to ensure doctrinal consistency across the church.1

Through these measures, Pius IV restored pastoral efficiency and solidified the conservative Catholic response to the challenges of the era.1