| Gregory Xv |
Index for Gregory |
Website Links For Pope |
Information AboutGregory Xv |
|
image=| birth_name=Alessandro Ludovisi| term_start= February 9 , 1621 |term_end= July 8 , 1623 | predecessor= Paul V |successor= Urban VIII | birth_date=January 9 or 15, 1554 |birthplace= Bologna , Italy | dead=dead|death_date= July 8 , 1623 |deathplace= Rome , Italy |}} Gregory XV, born '''''Alessandro Ludovisi''''' ( January 9 , 1554 – July 8 , 1623 ), Pope ( 1621 - 1623 ), born at Bologna , succeeded Paul V on February 9 , 1621. He was the last Pope Elected by Acclamation . Educated by the Jesuits in Rome, he went to the University Of Bologna to get a degree in canon and law. In 1612 Paul V appointed him Archbishop Of Bologna and sent him as nuncio to Savoy, to mediate between Duke Carlo Emanuele Of Savoy and Philip III Of Spain in their dispute concerning the duchy of Montferrat . In 1616 Paul created him Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria Transpontina. Henceforth Ludovisi remained at his see in Bologna until he went to Rome after the death of Pope Paul V to take part in the Conclave in which he was chosen. At the moment of his election, chiefly through the influence of Cardinal Borghese, at his advanced age (he was 67) and with his weak state of health he saw at once that he would need an energetic man, in whom he could place implicit confidence, to assist him in the government of the Church. His nephew Ludovico Ludovisi , a young man of 25 years, seemed to him to be the right person and, at the risk of being charged with nepotism, he created him cardinal on the third day of his pontificate. On the same day, Orazio, a brother of the pope, was put at the head of the pontifical army. The future revealed that Gregory XV was not disappointed in his nephew. The ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' allows that "Ludovico, it is true, advanced the interests of his family in every possible way, but he also used his brilliant talents and his great influence for the welfare of the Church, and was sincerely devoted to the pope." Beyond assisting Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor against the Protestants , and Sigismund III Of Poland against the Turks , he interfered little in European politics. He was a learned divine and manifested a reforming spirit; and his pontificate was marked by the Canonization of Teresa Of Avila , Francis Xavier , Ignatius Loyola , and Philip Neri . He was influential in bringing the Bolognese artist Guercino to Rome, a landmark in the development of the High Baroque style. He died in Rome on July 8 , 1623 and was succeeded by Urban VIII . References
|