Catholicism in Italy had not to contend with Jews and Moors, Marranos and Moriscoes.

It was, indeed, alarmed by the spread of Lutheran opinions.

Caraffa complained to Paul III.

that 'the whole of Italy is infected with the Lutheran heresy, which has been embraced not only by statesmen, but also by many ecclesiastics.'[97] Pius V.was so panic-stricken by the prevalence of heresy in Faenza that he seriously meditated destroying the town and dispersing its inhabitants.[98] Yet, after a few years of active persecution, this peril proved to be unreal.
The Reformation had not taken root so deep and wide in Italy that it could not be eradicated.

When, therefore, the Spanish viceroys sought to establish their national Inquisition in Naples and Milan, the rebellious people received protection and support from the Papacy; and the Holy Office, as remodeled in Rome, became a far less awful engine of oppression than that of Seville.
[Footnote 96: Naples and Milan passionately and successfully opposed its introduction by the Spanish viceroys.