Sede Vacante 1621

Born in Rome in 1571, PIETRO CARD. ALDOBRANDINI, the son of Pietro Aldobrandini and of Flaminia Ferracci, was nephew of Pope Clement VIII (1592-1605). He obtained a doctorate in Civil and Canon Law, and was named Protonotary Apostolic. He was created a cardinal deacon in 1593, and along with his cousin Cardinal Cincio took over the affairs of the papal government. On December 20, 1599 he was appointed Cardinal Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church for life. He acted as Legate for the Pope to Henri IV of France, first to regularize his situation with the Church, and then to finalize the marriage of the king with Catherine de' Medici (1600-1601). He became Archbishop of Ravenna in 1604, and in 1620 was promoted Bishop of the Suburbicarian See of Sabina. He died on the day after the conclusion of the Conclave of 1621.

Pope Paul V (Borghese) died on January 28, 1621 after suffering a series of strokes. at the age of 69. The conclave began on February 8. The College of Cardinals was at its prescribed full strength of seventy members, but only fifty-one participated in the Conclave. Cardinal Scipione Borghese, the dead pope's nephew, appears to have engaged in extensive lobbying to have the 67 year-old, ailing, Card. Ludovisi elected on Fbbruary 9.