paul iii

noun

1. Alessandro Farnese, 1468–1549, Italian ecclesiastic: pope 1534–49.

noun

1. original name Alessandro Farnese. 1468–1549, Italian ecclesiastic; pope (1534–49). He excommunicated Henry VIII of England (1538) and inaugurated the Counter-Reformation by approving the establishment of the Jesuits (1540), instituting the Inquisition in Italy, and convening the Council of Trent (1545)