On his ascent to the papal throne Alessandro Farnese began to play out the role according to the script that had been imparted to him. This included declaring himself for reform and a Council. Consistent with his usual inclination, he began with caution, seeking advice, consensus and support. While he was like his immediate predecessors in exercising a monarchic papacy, he valued advice and preferred to take people with him in his decisions. Thus, in late 1534, he sent out legates to consult the European princes and to bring them on board in holding a Council. Meantime, he set up a preliminary Commission for ‘the reform of morals’ consisting of three cardinals. A little over three months later the new pope gave this group the admonition that in their reform work they should ‘consider well the circumstances of the times’. In other words, reform should match aspiration with what was actually doable given the present realities.

Paul was also aware that attempting to achieve the reform advice he needed with a group of existing insiders was unlikely to be sufficient. So he began to bring upright, reform-minded men to Rome to advise him on how to chart the reform course in more depth. The men that Paul called to the task were logical choices: outstanding in reputation and intellect and most of them long experienced in ecclesial office or in relations with the curia.