Pope Alexander VI, the Hint of the Reformation

To paraphrase Archbishop Manzi of Lucca, it is easier to keep silence than to write moderation about this Pope. Alexander VI was one of the most controversial of any of the 266 Popes. He was known for his corruption, nepotism and lack of upholding the priestly vow of celibacy.

Born in Valencia, Aragon in 1431, Rodrigo de Borja was the son of Jofre Lloncol I Escriva and Isabel de Borja y Covanilles. Note the last names. Isabel’s brother, Alonso de Borja, became Pope Callixtus III in 1455, just as Rodrigo entered his majority. Assuming his mother’s maiden name probably helped Rodrigo ascend through the social strata faster and he spelled it the Italian way.  Uncle Alonso had him go to Bologna for a year of college, brought the young man to Rome, endowed him with a few benefices and put him to work as vice-chancellor. There he stayed until he was elected to the papacy.

During those 35 years in the curia, Rodrigo gathered more and more benefices, translating into more money and social esteem. Callixtus died in 1458 and was replaced by Pius II. Pius tried to control this young man who, it was rumored, partied with those who had no vows to keep. Making him a deacon in 1460 did not change anything. In that decade, he had three children from at least two mistresses.

In 1471, Pius II died and Rodrigo, having a talent at king-making, managed to get a pious Franciscan elected, Sixtus IV. The new pope rewarded Borgia for his support by making him a cardinal-bishop, requiring his ordination to the priesthood. The next year, Sixtus granted him status as a papal legate to negotiate a peace treaty between Castile and Aragon. This ended Aragon’s civil war, gave Isabella and Ferdinand the dispensation to marry (they were second cousins) and gave Cardinal Borgia their firstborn as a godson. The cardinal’s child, Cesare, also received benefices on his way to becoming rich.

Pope Sixtus died in 1484 and Cardinal Borgia, the dean of cardinals, struck a deal with Cardinal Cibo, Sixtus’ choice. Cibo became Pope Innocent VIII and Borgia kept all his offices. Threats of wars began over bishoprics. Borgia was on one side and Innocent on the other. In the last few days of Innocent’s reign, Borgia, still bishop of Valencia, became the archbishop of the new metropolitan see of Valencia. This added much to his coffers.

The day that Innocent died, Borgia, now 61, decided it was time to step forward. Three men vied for the papal seat. Great expense was paid to ensure votes. Borgia won and took the name of Alexander VI. Now was time for developing inheritances for his family. He carved out fiefs from the Papal States and awarded them to friends and relations.  Alexander put an end to the lawlessness in the city within months of his rise to the chair of Peter. He set about dispensing justice in a number of ways. There were over 220 assassinations during that time. The city was divided into four parts with a marshal for each, who swiftly reacted. And Alexander spent Tuesday afternoons listening to complaints from the public, trying to help solve problems.

Within a year of Columbus discovering the New World, Spain and Portugal petitioned Alexander for a decision on who owned what lands. Alexander’s bull. “Inter Caetana” authorized Spain and Portugal to colonize the New World, dividing the world between the two powers. That is why today most of South America speaks Spanish, except Brazil.

Cardinals prepared for war with Naples. France joined in, invading Italy. All his political enemies were chased, often by his son, Cesare, who was a general working for the French. His enemies, whether political or Church-related, were chased down and had their homes confiscated. They had to ransom their homes, to the delight of Alexander’s coffers.

In addition to his political ploys, Rodrigo Borgia, later Pope Alexander VI, had an unusual social life. In his 30s, he had several mistresses who gave birth to three children, Pedro Luis, Isabella and Girolama. In his middle years, he had one mistress who gave him four children, Cesare, Giovanni, Lucrezia and Gioffre. In his late 50s, he took on another, much younger mistress.

In addition to helping his relatives financially and socially, Pope Alexander worked with artists and builders designing and building many edifices in Rome that still stand today. However, Pope Alexander VI was seen as corrupt, worldly, and ambitious, whose neglect of the spiritual inheritance of the Church seriously contributed to the development of the Reformation within a few years of his death.