Pope Pius IV

Pope Pius IV, born Jacopo de' Medici, served as the leader of the Catholic Church from 1559 to 1565. He is best known for reconvening the Council of Trent, which aimed to respond to the Protestant Reformation and reform Church practices. His leadership helped to clarify Catholic doctrine and improve Church discipline. Pius IV also worked to strengthen the papal states and enacted reforms to promote unity within the Church. His tenure was marked by efforts to restore discipline, uphold Catholic teachings, and address controversies of his time, leaving a lasting impact on the Catholic Church’s direction during the Counter-Reformation.