Paul IV | |
|---|---|
| Papacy began | 23 May 1555 |
| Papacy ended | 18 August 1559 |
| Predecessor | Pope Clement VII |
| Successor | Pope Julius III |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Giovanni Pietro Carafa 28 June 1476 Capriglia Irpina, Kingdom of Naples |
| Died | 18 August 1559 Rome, Papal States |
| Other popes named Paul | |
Pope Paul IV (Latin: 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.
Giovanni Pietro Carafa was born in Capriglia Irpina in a noble family of Naples.
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.
In 1536, Carafa was made Cardinal and Archbishop of Naples.
He reorganized the Roman Inquisition.
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.
He was buried in St. Peter's Basilica but was later transferred to Santa Maria sopra Minerva.

Media related to Paulus IV at Wikimedia Commons
| Preceded by Marcellus II |
Pope 1555–1559 |
Succeeded by Pius IV |