Who started the counter reformation in the 1500s?

The Counter-Reformation, which began in the 16th century, was largely initiated by the Catholic Church in response to the Protestant Reformation. Key figures in this movement included Pope Paul III, who convened the Council of Trent in 1545, and Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order, who played a significant role in revitalizing Catholic education and missionary work. The Counter-Reformation aimed to address issues of corruption within the Church and clarify Catholic doctrine.