Pope Gregory XV

Pope Gregory XV, born Alessandro Ludovisi in 1554, served as pope from 1621 until his death in 1623. He is notable for reforming the papal conclave process, which included the establishment of rules for the election of future popes. His reforms aimed to reduce the influence of secular powers in papal elections and ensure a more orderly and transparent process. Gregory XV also emphasized the importance of the missions, furthering the Counter-Reformation efforts. His papacy marked a significant moment in Catholic Church governance and its relations with the modern state.