14 Facts About Francesco Ingoli

Francesco Ingoli was an Italian Catholic priest, lawyer and professor of civil and canon law.

Francesco Ingoli's name is particularly linked to the controversy over the Copernican system.

Francesco Ingoli used a combination of theological and scientific arguments to support the astronomical theory of Tycho Brahe over that of Copernicus.

Cardinal Lancellotti died in 1620, and Francesco Ingoli became secretary to the family of Cardinal Alessandro Ludovisi and took part in the meetings of the Accademia dei Virtuosi.

Francesco Ingoli was named gentleman of the bedchamber and was later placed in attendance with the Pope's nephew, who had been made Archbishop of Bologna.

Francesco Ingoli was called back to Rome and charged by the Pope with the reform of the conclave, which led to the introduction of the secret ballot and the requirement for a two thirds majority for the election of a Pope.

Francesco Ingoli devoted the rest of his life to this role, and was recognised by his contemporaries as the key figure in the consolidating of the new institution.

Francesco Ingoli did much, for example, to ensure that it could operate around the world independently of the Spanish and Portuguese colonial authorities.

Francesco Ingoli sought to combine the jurisdictional prerogatives of the Congregation with the missionary practices of the individual orders, and left many texts on this subject.

Francesco Ingoli was concerned with the Protestant lands of Europe, with union with the Orthodox Church, and with Christian communities in the Islamic countries.

Francesco Ingoli was a determined advocate of the need to re-evangelise these parts of the world, a task which he viewed as a new form of crusade.

Francesco Ingoli supported the Collegio Urbano, the seminary founded in 1627 by Juan Bautista Vives and linked to the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith.

Francesco Ingoli founded a Maronite college in his home town of Ravenna, though it only operated for a few years.

Francesco Ingoli's remains were buried in the common sepulchre of the Theatines in the church of Sant'Andrea della Valle.