MIRACULOUS MIRACLES™

Saint — Pope Julius III

All Saints
Pope Julius III
September 10, 1487 AD, Rome, Papal States (Giammaria Ciocchi del Monte) — March 23, 1555 AD, Rome
221st Pope (1550–1555); continuer of the Council of Trent
St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City — his tomb, Vatican City
Feast
March 23 (not on universal calendar)
Canonized
Not canonized
Life

Giammaria Ciocchi del Monte was born on September 10, 1487 at Rome to the noble Roman Del Monte family. Elected Pope on February 7, 1550, taking the name Julius III, his five-year pontificate was devoted to the continuation of the Council of Trent.

Julius III reopened the Council of Trent on May 1, 1551 (the second session of Trent, 1551–1552) — after the suspension since 1549. The Council's second session addressed the Eucharistic doctrines (the Decree on the Holy Eucharist of October 11, 1551) and the sacrament of Penance and Extreme Unction.

The Council was interrupted again in 1552 by the political crisis of the German Protestant princes' war against Emperor Charles V.

Julius III welcomed the restoration of Catholic communion under Queen Mary I of England (1553) — sending Cardinal Reginald Pole as papal legate. He created his nephew Innocenzo Del Monte as cardinal — a scandalous nepotism-appointment that became subject of significant contemporary criticism.

He died at Rome on March 23, 1555.

Miracles & Phenomena

  • The Council of Trent second session (1551–1552)

    Pope Julius III's reopening of the Council of Trent on May 1, 1551 — producing the Council's second session (1551–1552) that addressed the Eucharistic doctrines and the sacraments of Penance and Extreme Unction — institutionally continued the Tridentine reform-doctrinal process.

Relics
  • Body
    Tomb of Pope Julius III
    St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

    Buried at St. Peter's Basilica.

Iconography
  • Julius III at Trent

    The mid-16th-century Roman pope in papal vestments reopening the Council of Trent in 1551 — the iconography of Catholic Tridentine tradition.

Patronages
The Council of Trent continuation tradition (second session 1551–1552)
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