‹ The Popes
223rd Roman Pontiff
Paul IV
PAVLVS Quartus
Gian Pietro Carafa, C.R.
223rd Successor of St Peter · 1555–1559 · Italy · b. Capriglia Irpina, Kingdom of Naples
1555
Elected
1559
Reign ended
4 years
Length
16th
Century
The Life
Motto: Dominus mihi adjutor ("The Lord is my helper") Subject of the Kingdom of Naples. Founder and member of the Theatines. Established the Roman Ghetto in the bull Cum nimis absurdum (1555) and published the Index of Forbidden Books (1559). Ordered Michelangelo to repaint the nude figures in The Last Judgment modestly.
Portrait: Manner of Jacopino del Conte / Wikimedia Commons