When was Pope Paul IV born?

Pope Paul IV was born on 28 June 1476 in Capriglia Irpina.

What positions has Pope Paul IV held?

Positions held by Pope Paul IV include: Pope (1555–1559); Dean of the College of Cardinals (1553–1555); perpetual governor of the city of Velletri (1553–1555); Cardinal-Bishop of Frascati (1550–1551); Roman Catholic Archbishop of Naples (since 22 February 1549).

Where did Pope Paul IV study?

Pope Paul IV was educated at University of Naples Federico II.

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Pope Paul IV

Pope of catholic church 1555-1559

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Pope Paul IV (Latin: Paulus IV; Italian: Paolo IV; 28 June 1476 – 18 August 1559), born Gian Pietro Carafa, was head of the Catholic Church and leader of the Papal States from 23 May 1555 to his death, in August 1559. While serving as papal nuncio in Spain, he developed an anti-Spanish outlook that later coloured his papacy. In response to an invasion of part of the Papal States by Spain during his papacy, he called for a French military intervention. After a defeat of the French and with Spanish troops at the edge of Rome, the Papacy and Spain reached a compromise: French and Spanish forces left the Papal States and the Pope thereafter adopted a neutral stance between France and Spain.

Quick facts

Born: 28 June 1476 wd
Place of birth: Capriglia Irpina wd
Died: 18 August 1559 wd
Place of death: Rome wd
Citizenship: Vatican City wd
Occupation: Catholic priest, diplomat, Catholic bishop wd
Education: University of Naples Federico II wd

Positions held wd

Pope (23 May 1555 – 18 August 1559)
Dean of the College of Cardinals (1553–1555)
perpetual governor of the city of Velletri (1553–1555)
Cardinal-Bishop of Frascati (28 February 1550 – 29 November 1551)
Roman Catholic Archbishop of Naples (since 22 February 1549)
Cardinal-Bishop of Albano (1544–1546)
Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals (1541–1542)
Roman Catholic Archbishop of Chieti (since 20 June 1537)
Roman Catholic Archbishop of Brindisi (20 December 1518 – 8 August 1524)
Roman Catholic Bishop of Chieti (since 30 July 1505)

About

Carafa was appointed bishop of Chieti, but resigned in 1524 in order to found with Saint Cajetan the Congregation of Clerics Regular (Theatines). Recalled to Rome, and made Archbishop of Naples, he worked to re-organise the Inquisitorial system in response to the emerging Protestant movement in Europe, any dialogue with which he opposed (the inquisition itself had been first instituted by Pope Innocent III who first regulated inquisitional procedure in the 13th century). Carafa was elected pope in 1555 through the influence of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese in the face of opposition from Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.

His papacy was characterised by strong nationalism in reaction to the influence of Philip II of Spain and the Habsburgs. The appointment of Carlo Carafa as Cardinal Nephew damaged the papacy further, and scandals forced Paul to remove him from office. He curbed some clerical abuses in Rome, but his methods were seen as harsh. He would introduce the first modern Index Librorum Prohibitorum or "Index of Prohibited Books" banning works he saw as in error. In spite of his advanced age, he was a tireless worker and issued new decrees and regulations daily, unrelenting in his…

Questions

When was Pope Paul IV born?: Pope Paul IV was born on 28 June 1476 in Capriglia Irpina.
What positions has Pope Paul IV held?: Positions held by Pope Paul IV include: Pope (1555–1559); Dean of the College of Cardinals (1553–1555); perpetual governor of the city of Velletri (1553–1555); Cardinal-Bishop of Frascati (1550–1551); Roman Catholic Archbishop of Naples (since 22 February 1549).
Where did Pope Paul IV study?: Pope Paul IV was educated at University of Naples Federico II.

Sources

Last updated 3 November 2026 · facts checked 5 November 2026

Cite this page

"Pope Paul IV". DigiNepal. Last updated 3 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/pope-paul-iv. Retrieved 5 November 2026.

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Text from the Wikipedia article Pope Paul IV, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Pope Paul IV – Jacopino Conte (Manner), ca. 1560.jpg — Manner of Jacopino del Conte, Public domain.

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