Alexander VI was allowed to become Pope despite having children because he and his supporters employed deception and political tactics that masked his paternity and secured powerful backing. He denied fathering children by claiming they were his nieces and nephews, attributing their parentage to the husbands of his mistresses. This concealment maintained public ignorance or silence, as many feared opposing the Borgia family’s influence backed by wealth.
Bribery played a critical role in his rise. The College of Cardinals, vulnerable to corruption, received substantial sums and promises. Notably, Sforza, a key supporter, gained four mule-loads of silver to push Alexander’s election. Sforza earned the church’s vice chancellorship for his loyalty, while Della Rovere secured massive payments from France and Genoa for supporting the candidacy. These strategic financial incentives overshadowed rival candidates, who lacked strong support or serious intent to succeed.
Opponents like Sforza and Della Rovere were similarly open to bribes but lacked genuine commitment. Their weak positioning ensured Borgias’ success. Supporters also benefited from plausible deniability. They opted to accept the false narratives around the Pope’s legitimacy since acknowledging the truth meant acknowledging misconduct. This allowed them to dismiss accusations without damaging their reputations or alliances.
| Factor | Effect on Alexander VI’s Election |
| Denial of Paternity | Concealed children, limiting scandal and opposition |
| Bribery | Secured support among influential cardinals and politicians |
| Weak Opponents | Lack of strong competition allowed Borgias’ rise |
| Plausible Deniability | Allowed allies to ignore or deny rumors effectively |
Alexander VI’s election highlights the complex interplay of concealment, corruption, and power politics during the Renaissance Papacy. Despite apparent moral conflicts, these mechanisms enabled his ascension.
- Alexander VI denied fathering his children, passing them as relatives.
- Bribery swayed crucial cardinals to support him.
- Rivals lacked strong influence or earnest ambition.
- Supporters accepted lies to protect reputations.
Why was Alexander VI allowed to become Pope, despite him having children?
The short answer: He managed to keep his children’s existence a secret, bribed his way through politics, and took advantage of weak rivals and a very corrupt system. Let’s unpack how Rodrigo Borgia, who became Pope Alexander VI, pulled off this remarkable feat.
If you’re picturing the Catholic Church as a spotless institution that strictly prohibits popes from having children, then Rodrigo Borgia’s story will challenge your assumptions. Borgia fathered several children, but the key reason he was allowed to become Pope was his ability to conceal that fact and play the corrupt political game like a champion.
Deception and Concealment: The Art of Denial
For years, Rodrigo Borgia fooled everyone about his true family situation. Officially, he never had children. To cover his tracks, he insisted his sons and daughters were actually his “nieces” and “nephews.” The clever twist? He claimed these children belonged to the husbands of the women involved, like Vanozza dei Cattanei and Giulia Farnese, making the truth even harder to verify.
Most people just accepted this story because Borgia’s substantial wealth and influence meant few dared to speak out. It was dangerous to contradict a man whose fortune could buy silence. So, if anyone suspected the truth, they wisely kept quiet.
This denial gave Borgia plausible deniability. His supporters convinced themselves that these children weren’t his to protect their own reputations and maintain unity.
Bribery and Political Maneuvering: Money Talks in the Vatican
The College of Cardinals was no stranger to corruption, and Borgia knew exactly how to play that game. During the papal conclave, a storm of bribes, promises, and deals flew like confetti at a wild party—only with much higher stakes.
One example: Francesco Sforza, a powerful cardinal and political figure, received an astonishing four mule-loads of silver. Think about that for a moment. That’s a literal mountain of wealth to secure support.
Sforza’s reward? He was appointed vice chancellor of the Church—a coveted post that showed the power of well-placed bribes. Similarly, Giovanni Della Rovere received a staggering 300,000 ducats from France and Genoa just for throwing his hat in the ring. Clearly, the papal election wasn’t won by the most pious man, but by the one with the deepest pockets.
Weak Opponents Made the Road Easier
Borgia’s rivals didn’t exactly pose a serious threat. Both Sforza and Della Rovere weren’t eager for the job’s demanding responsibilities beyond the title itself. Their openness to bribery made them less credible contenders.
The lack of a formidable opponent cleared a smoother path for Borgia. With little resistance and plenty of cash exchanged behind the scenes, the conclave’s outcome was more about politics than spirituality.
Plausible Deniability: Believing the Convenient Lie
Backers of Borgia knew the truth about his children was, at best, questionable. But pretending otherwise shielded them and gave them plausible deniability. If accusations surfaced, they could say, “We thought it was someone else’s child,” and maintain their innocence.
This collective suspension of disbelief was a political survival tactic. It was easier to trust the official story than to admit scandal and risk the fallout. This facet of human nature—accepting convenient lies—played a huge role in Borgia’s rise.
What Can We Learn From This?
Alexander VI’s election wasn’t a triumph of virtue, but of cunning strategy, concealment, and corruption. His story shows that power structures often bend under the pressure of money and influence.
If you think church politics are cutthroat today, picture a time when even a pope’s morality was negotiable in exchange for silver and silence. This episode is a vivid example of how human systems can prioritize power preservation over principles.
For those fascinated by history—and the messiness of real-life politics—Alexander VI is a case study in navigating and exploiting systemic weaknesses.
Summary Table: How Did Alexander VI Become Pope Despite Having Children?
| Factor | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Denial of Paternity | Claimed children were others’ offspring, managing to keep reality hidden from most people. |
| Bribery | Exchanged vast amounts of silver and ducats to secure votes from cardinals. |
| Weak Opponents | Rivals lacked enthusiasm and were easily swayed by bribes, posing little threat. |
| Plausible Deniability | Supporters chose to believe convenient lies to shield themselves from scandal. |
Final Thought
Popes are supposed to be paragons of spiritual leadership. Yet history often reveals a different tale—one where money, secrets, and shady deals reign supreme. Alexander VI’s ascent shows how this system, even centuries ago, was far from perfect.
Next time you hear about papal scandals, remember Rodrigo Borgia. Maybe he wasn’t just a pope, but a master class in playing the game of power when the stakes are literally eternal.
