After his beatification during the pontificate of Paul V in 1619, Isidro's halo of sanctity grew exponentially. The city of Madrid, converted by Philip II in 1561 into the permanent seat of the court, needed a titular saint to act as patron saint of the city, which had now become the head of the Hispanic Monarchy. The decisive support of the city and the crown (Philip III) for the canonization was decisive for the rapid resolution of the case. But it would be during the reign of Philip IV and the papacy of Gregory XV when it was agreed to canonise the blessed Isidro of Madrid. Initially, the ceremony was to be dedicated exclusively to him and both the Madrid consistory and the monarch gave priority and generously covered the expenses from 1621 onwards.