St Gregory the Great with Sts Ignatius and Francis Xavier

This altarpiece was commissioned by Ludovico Ludovisi, nephew of Pope Gregory XV. St Gregory was chosen as a subject because Ludovico wanted to pay homage to his dead uncle, who had taken the name of one of the greatest popes of the Church’s early period. Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier were both canonised by Pope Gregory XV on 12 march 1622, St Gregory’s feast day.