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234th Roman Pontiff
Gregory XV
GREGORIVS Quintus Decimus
Alessandro Ludovisi
233rd Successor of St Peter · 1621–1623 · Italy · b. Bologna, Papal States
1621
Elected
1623
Reign ended
2 years
Length
17th
Century
The Life
Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Issued the bull Aeterni Patris Filius (1621), which imposed conclaves to be by secret ballot. Established the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith (1622). Issued the apostolic constitution Omnipotentis Dei (1623) against magicians and witches.
Portrait: Guercino / Wikimedia Commons