Gregorius XV 234th Pope from February 9, 1621 to July 8, 1623. Date of Birth: 09.01.1554 Country: Italy

Biography of Pope Gregory XV

Alessandro Ludovisi was born on January 9, 1554, into a noble family in Bologna. He received a legal education, became a priest, and joined the papal service in the Roman Curia. In 1612, he was appointed Archbishop of Bologna and two years later, he was made a cardinal. He actively promoted the Counter-Reformation.

Upon becoming pope, Gregory XV did not hesitate to use his papal privilege to favor his nephew, twenty-five-year-old Ludovico Ludovisi, whom he appointed as a cardinal. By papal appointment, Armand Jean du Plessis de Richelieu, the future creator of French absolutism, became Bishop of Luçon in France.

Unfortunately, Gregory XV's pontificate lasted only two years and was relatively uneventful. He passed away after a short and unremarkable reign. However, during his papacy, he established the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith in 1622. This congregation had jurisdiction over all Catholic missions. Additionally, on March 12, 1622, Pope Gregory XV canonized Ignatius of Loyola.