But, due to political tensions, the council was delayed until December 13. the council would continue off and on for 18 years in the midst of the Protestant Reformation in Europe, often dealing with issues raised by the Reformation.
One such issue was fasting, and upon the conclusion of the council on December 4, 1563, a decree on fasts and feast days was promulgated.
Trent was a small city in what is today northern Italy. The number of bishops attending the council varied greatly. Thirty-one bishops (the majority from Italy) were present when it opened. This first assembly met for two years, and then, after a gap of four years, the second assembly took place form 1551-1552, with 44 bishops present. It was 10 years before the final session began (1562-1563) and the numbers of bishops there ranged from 100 to 250. [By contrast, the average number of bishops at the four sessions of the Second Vatican Council was 2,300.]
During the Council of Trent there was a succession of five popes. None of them attended the council. They sent official delegates to represent them.
- Little Black Book, Diocese of Saginaw