In the original Latin text of Pope Paul VI's apostolic constitution
Paenitemini we find the following:
Quote:
Abstinentiae lex vetat carne vesei, non autem ovis, lacticiniis et quibuslibet condimentis etiam ex adipe animalium [III:1].
(Translation): The law of abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not of eggs, the products of milk, or condiments made of animal fat [III:1]. |
The word used for meat is carnis. In modern English, the word meat can refer to any animal flesh. But, in the Latin cited here, it refers to mammals and birds only. So, fish, seafood, amphibians, and insects are permitted (assuming Catholics want to eat some of them); but mammals and fowls are not.
Pope Paul IV was born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria to a family of considerable nobility, who owned large fisheries in Lombardy.
He also is suspected of ties to Mussolini and enabling some leading Nazi officers to escape the collapse of the Third Reich. Great guy.