Pius IV
The pope under whom the Council of Trent met for its last period, from 1562 to 1563. He confirmed its decrees in January 1564 and issued the Tridentine profession of faith.
The Council of Trent reopened on 18 January 1562 in what its acts call the first session under Pius IV (Council of Trent Session 17), and it closed on 4 December 1563 with a request that he confirm all that had been decreed under his predecessors and himself (Council of Trent Session 25, on the close of the council). He did so in consistory on 26 January 1564. The bull of confirmation orders the decrees to be observed, forbids anyone to publish commentaries or interpretations of them without papal authority, and reserves doubtful points to the Apostolic See (Council of Trent Confirmation of the council and bull of 26 January 1564). The profession of faith that bears the council’s name comes from his bull Iniunctum nobis of 13 November 1564 (Tridentine Profession of Faith heading and articles I–XII).
In the timeline
- 1545 to 1563, firm dateThe Council of Trent
In twenty-five sessions spread over eighteen years, the Catholic bishops assembled at Trent define their church’s teaching on Scripture and tradition, justification and the sacraments, and decree a reform of the clergy.
Primary sources
The Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent
- Council of Trent Session 17papalencyclicals.net
- Council of Trent Session 25, on the close of the councilpapalencyclicals.net
- Council of Trent Confirmation of the council and bull of 26 January 1564papalencyclicals.net