# Pope Gregory XV

_Pope of the Catholic Church from 1621 to 1623 (1554–1623)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/pope-gregory-xv
Last updated: 2026-11-03

> Pope Gregory XV, born Alessandro Ludovisi, was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 9 February 1621 until his death in 1623. He is notable for founding the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, an organization tasked with overseeing the spread of Catholicism and missionary work. Gregory XV was also responsible for the canonization of Saints Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Ávila, and Philip Neri, which solidified his commitment to the Counter-Reformation.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 9 January 1554 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132692#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Bologna ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132692#P19))
- **Died:** 8 July 1623 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132692#P570))
- **Place of death:** Rome ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132692#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Papal States ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132692#P27))
- **Occupation:** Latin Catholic priest; archbishop ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132692#P106))
- **Education:** University of Bologna; Pontifical Gregorian University ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132692#P69))
- **Positions held:** Pope (9 February 1621 – 8 July 1623); cardinal (since 19 September 1616); Roman Catholic Archbishop of Bologna (since 1 May 1612) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132692#P39))

## Questions

**When was Pope Gregory XV born?**  
Pope Gregory XV was born on 9 January 1554 in Bologna.

**What positions has Pope Gregory XV held?**  
Positions held by Pope Gregory XV include: Pope (1621–1623); cardinal (since 19 September 1616); Roman Catholic Archbishop of Bologna (since 1 May 1612).

**Where did Pope Gregory XV study?**  
Pope Gregory XV was educated at University of Bologna, Pontifical Gregorian University.

## Related

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- [Pope Gregory XIII](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-gregory-xiii)
- [Pope Clement VII](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-clement-vii)
- [Pope Pius I](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-pius-i)
- [Pope Boniface I](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-boniface-i)
- [Pope Agapetus I](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-agapetus-i)
- [Pope Hormisdas](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-hormisdas)
- [Pope Innocent VIII](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-innocent-viii)
- [Pope Alexander VIII](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-alexander-viii)
- [Pope Innocent X](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-innocent-x)
- [Pope Benedict XV](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-benedict-xv)
- [Pope Benedict XIV](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-benedict-xiv)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Pope Gregory XV](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gregory_XV) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q132692](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132692) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: (Albi) Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile - Trèsor - Portrait du pape Grégoire XV - PalissyIM81001477.jpg by Didier Descouens (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:(Albi)_Cath%C3%A9drale_Sainte-C%C3%A9cile_-_Tr%C3%A8sor_-_Portrait_du_pape_Gr%C3%A9goire_XV_-_PalissyIM81001477.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Pope Gregory XV, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: (Albi) Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile - Trèsor - Portrait du pape Grégoire XV - PalissyIM81001477.jpg — Didier Descouens, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Pope Gregory XV". DigiNepal. Last updated 3 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/pope-gregory-xv. Retrieved 6 November 2026.