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Scienze della comunicazione Università degli Studi di TeramoPhD Program in Historical studies
Scienze della comunicazione Università degli Studi di TeramoPhD Program in Historical studies

Pius IV

Pio IVGiovanni Angelo Medici di Marignano (1499-1565) came from a family of Lombard origin. Trained as a lawyer, he began his ecclesiastical career in 1527. During the pontificate of Paul III, during which he was governor of various cities of the Papal States, he was appointed archbishop of Ragusa and then cardinal in 1549. After several duties assigned by successive popes, and after being bishop of Foligno between 1556 and 1557, he was elected pope in the conclave of 1559 with the name of Pius IV. Compared to its predecessor, Paul IV, Pius IV used the instrument of the Inquisition with less rigour, although he also practiced nepotism. Among his protégés there was his nephew Carlo Borromeo, who was elected as Archbishop of Milan. In addition to the favour accorded to the future saint, Pius IV has remained famous because he was the pope who brought to an end to the Council of Trent (1563), after almost twenty years.