On the point of episcopal independence, the French supported the Spaniards; but Pius used the same arguments in France which he had used in Spain, with similar success.

Thus there was no agreement on any of the disputed questions between Spaniards, Frenchmen and Germans; and since the ambassadors could neither propose nor vote, and the Italian prelates were in a permanent majority, Pius was able to defer and temporize at leisure.
Nevertheless, he began to feel the gravity of the situation.

He saw that the embassies constituted dangerous centers of intrigue and national organization at Trent.

He was not entirely satisfied with his own Legate, the Cardinal Gonzaga, who supported the divine right of the episcopacy, and quarreled with his colleagues.

The Spaniards, infuriated at having sacrificed the right of proposing measures, began to talk openly about the reform of the Papacy.