Rodrigo’s rise to power was no accident. It had been planned, crafted and manufactured not only by himself, but also a previous pope, his uncle, Alfonso Borgia, known as Pope Callixtus III. Callixtus was pushing 80 when he became pope but he worked swiftly to ensure his young nephew was perfectly placed to continue his legacy. At 16, Rodrigo had already had been awarded a papal dispensation to hold ecclesiastical office, and aged 25, less than a year after his uncle became pope, he was made a cardinal.
The promotions continued to come in thick and fast. In 1457, he became vice chancellor; a year later, administrator for the diocese of Valencia; then general-in-chief of the papal army. When Callixtus died, Rodrigo waited patiently, serving his replacements loyally and letting…
