Paul III was a pope who served from 1534 to 1549. Born Alessandro Farnese, he was the first pope of the Renaissance period. He is known for initiating the Counter-Reformation, a movement aimed at reforming the Catholic Church in response to the Protestant Reformation. During his papacy, Paul III convened the Council of Trent, which addressed issues of church doctrine and practices. He also supported the arts, commissioning works from famous artists like Michelangelo and Raphael. His leadership helped shape the future of the Catholic Church and its role in European society.