Born: 29 February 1468 · Died: 10 November 1549 · Age at death: 81
How old was Paul III when he died?
Paul III died aged 81. He was born on 29 February 1468 and died on 10 November 1549.
Renaissance Pope who convened the Council of Trent
Did you know?He was a major patron of the arts who commissioned Michelangelo to paint The Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel.
Quick facts
Date of birth29 February 1468
Date of death10 November 1549
Age at death81
NationalityItalian
BirthplaceCanino, Italy
OccupationCatholic priest
Editor's Take:
Paul III straddled two worlds, the worldly Renaissance papacy and the reforming church that followed. He had fathered children as a young cardinal and gave his family lands and titles. Yet he also appointed serious reformers to the College of Cardinals and backed new orders such as the Jesuits. He set the Catholic response to Protestantism in motion by summoning the Council of Trent. Michelangelo finished the Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel during his reign. Titian's portraits of him still capture his shrewd, ageing face.
Key Milestones
1493: Made a cardinal
1534: Elected pope
1540: Approves the Society of Jesus
1545: Opens the Council of Trent
Pope Paul III (Latin: Paulus III; Italian: Paolo III; born Alessandro Farnese; 29 February 1468 – 10 November 1549) was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 13 October 1534 to his death, in November 1549.
