Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • Alessandro Farnese: An Italian cardinal and diplomat, who served as Pope Paul III from 1534 to 1549. He was a pivotal figure in the Catholic Church during the Counter-Reformation.

Usage

• Proper noun:
  • Alessandro Farnese convened the Council of Trent, a major ecumenical council.
  • The artistic patronage of Alessandro Farnese significantly influenced the Roman Renaissance.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The name is often used to refer specifically to his papacy and its impact on church reform and European politics in the 16th century.
  • The policies initiated by Alessandro Farnese shaped the Catholic Church's response to Protestantism.

Variants and Related Words

• Paul III: The papal name of Alessandro Farnese.
• Farnese: Referring to the powerful Italian family from which he came.
• Pope Paul III: The title used during his papacy.

Different Meanings

• This term refers exclusively to the historical figure Pope Paul III. It is not used with other common meanings.

Synonyms

• Pope Paul III
• The Farnese Pope

Idioms

Phrasal Verbs

Noun

1. Italian pope from 1534 to 1549 who excommunicated Henry VIII of England in 1538 and initiated the Council of Trent in 1545; was active in the Counter Reformation and promoted the Society of Jesus for this purpose (1468-1549)