Editing Pope Gregory XV (section)

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Gregory XV interfered little in European politics, beyond assisting [[Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor]], and the [[Catholic League (German)|Catholic League]] against the [[Protestants]],{{sfn|Baynes|1878|pp=178–179}} to the tune of a million gold [[ducat]]s,{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} and [[Sigismund III Vasa]], King of the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]], against the [[Ottoman Empire]].{{sfn|Baynes|1878|pp=178–179}} His ''Declaration against Magicians and Witches'' (''Omnipotentis Dei'', 20 March 1623) was the last papal ordinance against [[witchcraft]]. Former punishments were lessened, and the death penalty was limited to those who were "proved to have entered into a [[deal with the Devil|compact with the devil]], and to have committed homicide with his assistance".{{sfn|Ott|1910}}

He was a learned theologian and manifested a reforming spirit.{{sfn|Baynes|1878|pp=178–179}} As an example, his [[papal bull]] of 15 November 1621, ''[[Aeterni Patris Filius]]'', regulated papal elections, which henceforth were to be by secret ballot; three methods of election were allowed: by scrutiny, compromise and [[Acclamation (in Papal Elections)|quasi-inspiration]]. Whereas Popes [[Pope Gregory XIII|Gregory XIII]] and [[Pope Clement VIII|Clement VIII]] had previously established temporary congregations of cardinals to look after the interest of particular foreign missions, Gregory XV established a permanent congregation, the [[Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith]], on 6 January 1622, to operate as the missionary arm of the [[Holy See]].{{sfn|Ott|1910}}

He was influential in bringing the Bolognese artist [[Guercino]] to Rome, a landmark in the development of the High [[Baroque]] style. He sat for his portrait busts, [[Bust of Pope Gregory XV|one of which]] was by [[Gian Lorenzo Bernini]] and by [[Alessandro Algardi]], whose restrained bust in a ''[[tondo (art)|tondo]]'' is in the Church of [[Santa Maria in Vallicella]].