8. Alexander VI was described by his successor as an outstanding pope despite his many children
Alexander VI was from the Spanish Borja family, which was Latinized to Borgia, and which became a name symbolizing licentious behavior as well as nepotism. He was educated in the law, and became a member of the clergy when he was ordained by the direction of his uncle, Pope Callixtus III, in 1456. When Innocent VIII died he was elected to the papacy, and his illegitimate son Cesare Borgia inherited the archbishopric see he left behind to become Alexander VI. He achieved election through the use of bribery to buy votes (the other two contenders used bribes too, just smaller amounts), with altogether several hundred thousand gold and silver ducats paid to the cardinals by the rulers of several European states.
It was Alexander who supported Spain and provided the line of demarcation which created the areas to be exploited by Spain and Portugal in the recently discovered New World. Throughout his papacy he ingratiated himself to Europe’s rulers, using the papacy to enrich and empower the Borgia family in both Spain and Italy. He had multiple mistresses and children, many of whom he refused to acknowledge, but his long relationship with Giovanna dei Cattanei produced children which he did, including the infamous Lucrezia Borgia. As pope he legitimized his children with Giovanna, though he never married his longtime mistress. During his papacy he expanded the power of the Borgia family through the acquisition of vast wealth and lands.