Pope Paul IV

Pope Paul IV (Paulus Quartus; 28 June 1476 – 18 August 1559), born Giovanni Pietro Carafa, was an Italian priest of the Roman Catholic Church and the 221st Pope from 23 May 1555 until his death.

Early life
Giovanni Pietro Carafa was born in Capriglia Irpina in a noble family of Naples.

Bishop
Pope Leo X sent Carafa as ambassador to England and then as papal nuncio in Spain.

In 1524, Pope Clement VII allowed Carafa to retire from diplomacy to head a monastery.

Pope Paul III recalled him to Rome.

Cardinal
In 1536, Carafa was made Cardinal and Archbishop of Naples.

He reorganized the Roman Inquisition.

Pope
Cardinal Carafa was elected popein 1555; and he chose to be called Paul IV.

Pope Paul was involved in Italian and European political disputes.

Pope Paul IV quarrelled with Philip II. of Spain, who sent the Duke of Alba with an army from Naples to invade the Papal States. At the gates of Rome, a peace was concluded in 1557.

In the context of the Counter-Reformation, this pope supported the Inquisition in Italy.

After his death
He was buried in St. Peter's Basilica but was later transferred to Santa Maria sopra Minerva.

Related pages

 * List of popes

Other websites



 * Catholic Hierarchy, Pope Paul IV
 * Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, Cardinal Carafa