At the same time the Jesuits, devoted by their founder in blind obedience--_perinde ac cadaver_--to the service of the Papacy, penetrated Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and the transatlantic colonies.
The Pope who succeeded Clement VII.

in 1534 was in all ways fitted to represent the transition which I have indicated.

Alessandro Farnese sprang from an ancient but decayed family in the neighborhood of Bolsena, several of whose members had played a foremost part in the mediaeval revolutions of Orvieto.

While still a young man of twenty-five, he was raised to the Cardinalate by Alexander VI.

This advancement he owed to the influence of his sister Giulia, surnamed La Bella, who was then the Borgia's mistress.