The Catechism in Questions & Answers

598. How did the Roman Catholic Church react to the Reformation?

As a response to the Reformation, the Council of Trent (which began in 1545) ushered in a renewal of the Church and prepared the ground for the Counter-Reformation, which in turn reinforced the power of the papacy.

The term ‘Counter-Reformation’ denotes the response of the Roman Catholic Church to the Reformation.