Gregory XV, né Alessandro Ludovisio (January 9, 1554–July 8, 1623), pope (1621-1623), born at Bologna in 1554, succeeded Paul V on February 9, 1621. He was the last Pope elected by acclamation (as if inspired by the Holy Spirit).

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 died on July 8, 1623, and was succeeded by Urban VIII.

References

• Some text from the ninth edition (1880) of the Encyclopædia Britannica.