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Pope Alexander VI – The 214th Pope

Pope Alexander VI

Pope Alexander VI was the 214th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He was ruler of the Papal States and head of the Catholic church for just over 11 years from 11th August 1492 until his death in 1503.

Early Life

Born Roderic de Borja, Pope Alexander VI grew up in the small town of Xatavia, which is now part of Spain. When his maternal uncle became Pope Callixtus III, Roderic adopted the name, Rodrigo Borja.

After studying law at the University of Bologna and earning a degree, he became the Cardinal Deacon of a local church. Rodrigo spent many years serving the Church in different roles and had experience working with five popes before he became pope.

His church career started in 1445 when he was just 14 years old. His rise up through the Church hierarchy was helped along by his uncle, Alfons de Borja, who had been elevated to the rank of cardinal by Pope Eugene IV in 1444.

Leveraging his newfound influence, Cardinal Alfons secured for his young nephew the position of sacristan at the prestigious Cathedral of Valencia. This appointment marked the beginning of Rodrigo’s long and controversial journey within the Catholic Church, which would eventually lead him to the papal throne as Pope Alexander VI.

Papal Election

Leading up to the death of Innocent VIII, the Church had more than 20 names chosen for the next pope, including 10 directly related to the pope. Rumors say that Rodrigo purchased some of the votes, but other records show that he was a popular choice. Some records show he bought votes as did other men at the time.

He was elected pope in 1492 and chose the name Alexander. Though he is officially Pope Alexander VI, he is only the fifth man to use that name due to the Catholic antipope.

Controversies

Most of the controversies surrounding this pope relate to Inter caetera, a papal bull he issued in 1493. This bull granted King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella western and southern lands due to their support of the Church. The bull led to a massive war between France and Portugal.

He also had a role in the Italian War of 1491 – 1498 as he sided with the French during their invasion of Naples. Alexander had a son named Cesare who some historians believe helped him poison a cardinal. Those who were with him when he passed away claimed that the pope was repentant of some of the decisions he made.

Events In The Life of Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo de Borja)

Portrait by Pedro Berruguete (c. 1495, oil on canvas, Vatican Museums)
DateAgeEventTitle
1431Born
20 Feb 145625.1Elevated to CardinalIn Pectore
17 Sep 145625.7Elevated to Cardinal
17 Sep 145625.7AppointedCardinal-Deacon of San Nicola in Carcere
145726.0AppointedAdministrator of Gerona, Spain
Jun 145827.4AppointedCardinal-Deacon of Santa Maria in Via Lata
30 Jun 145827.4AppointedAdministrator of Valencia, Spain
21 Jul 145827.5InstalledAdministrator of Valencia, Spain
146837.0Ordained DeaconDeacon
30 Aug 147140.6AppointedCardinal-Bishop of Albano
30 Oct 147140.8Ordained PriestPriest
24 Jul 147645.5AppointedCardinal-Bishop of Porto e Santa Rufina
8 Jul 148251.5AppointedAdministrator of Cartagena (en España)
9 Oct 148958.7AppointedAdministrator of Mallorca, Spain
149160.0AppointedAdministrator of Eger, Hungary
9 Jul 149261.5AppointedArchbishop of Valencia, Spain
11 Aug 149261.6ElectedPope (Roma, Italy)
26 Aug 149261.6InstalledPope (Roma, Italy)
18 Aug 150372.6DiedPope (Roma, Italy)

Quick Facts About Pope Alexander VI

  • He was born on January 1, 1431, in Xativa, which was in the Kingdom of Valencia and the Crown of Aragon.

  • Given the name Roderic de Borja at birth, he also used the name, Rodrigo Borja.

  • He died at the age of 72 on August 18, 1503, in Rome.

  • The papacy of Alexander VI began on August 11, 1492.

  • His papacy ended on August 18, 1503.

  • Pope Pius II succeeded Pope Alexander VI.

Interesting Facts About Pope Alexander VI

  • Alexander VI had multiple mistresses and affairs both before and after becoming pope. He met Vannozza dei Cattanei in 1470 and began a relationship with her that lasted for many years. They had at least four children together, all of whom he legitimized after becoming pope.

  • Alexander VI died of an illness that caused him to take to bed on August 12. He would remain in bed over the new few days and receive the Extreme Unction right before his death. Cesare sent men to raid the pope’s belongings. The Church also displayed the pope’s body to his followers the next day.

  • The Church allowed his children to live in the Papal Palace, though they split their time between Rome and their mother’s home.

  • There are at least four other children likely born to Pope Alexander VI, including Isabella who is a decedent of Pope Innocent X.

  • Alexander VI lived in the Borgias’ Apartments in the Papal Palace. The Church sealed his living quarters and kept them sealed until the 1800s. Future popes refused to live there because they believed he desecrated the space.

  • ”Assassin’s Creed: Lineage” uses Alexander VI as a character played by Manuel Tadros.

All Popes with the name “Alexander”

There has has been 7 Popes that have taken the name Alexander. Below are links to all of them. Also check out all of the other Popes the begin with the letter A.

Alexander I (St.) (#6) (105 – 115)
Alexander II (#157) (1061 – 1073)
Alexander III (#171) (1159 – 1181)
Alexander IV (#182) (1254 – 1261)
Alexander VI (#215) (1492 – 1503)
Alexander VII (#238) (1655 – 1667)
Alexander VIII (#242) (1689 – 1691)