notwithstanding his obstinacy, did not dare to make the
assembly at Bologna pass for an cecumenical council, at which
there were present only Italian bishops, and two prelates in
partibus pensioned by the Roman Curia--the French bishop
was absent--and he submitted to the dissolution of the
assembly, which during its stay of two and a half years at
Bologna held two sessions, which were merely for display
(sessions ix. and x.).

In the second period the council was convoked by
Julius III. under pressure from Charles V. It was opened on
1st March 1551, and was suspended because of the war on
28th April 1552. Six sessions were held at that time, four
of which, the XI., XII., XV., and XVI., were purely for display.
Henry II., king of France, forbade his bishops to attend this
assembly, at which indeed no German bishop was present. ¹

In the third period the council was convoked by Pius IV.
It was opened on 18th January 1561, and ended on
4th December 1563. Nine sessions were held, and the
number of bishops at times exceeded two hundred. Among
these were twenty from France. ²

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