Callixtus III (1378 to 1458): The first Borgia pope made two nephews cardinals, including the later Alexander VI

Alfonso de Borja, a Spaniard and jurist, was pope from 1455 to 1458. He promoted a crusade against the Turks. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, he raised two nephews to the cardinalate, including Rodrigo, the later Alexander VI, and gave a third the Castle of Sant'Angelo and the Duchy of Spoleto; this fed the charges of nepotism.

Life dates

1378-1458 (about 80 years old)

Country

Spain, Vatican City

Institutions

Holy See

Category

Financial misconduct

Level of evidence

B two independent scholarly sources · what does this mean?

Background

Course of events

1. According to the Britannica, he wanted to organise a crusade against the Turks, sold possessions for it and equipped a fleet; the effect remained small.
   Evidence: Cambridge University Press (Wikisource), Artikel Calixtus

   „very little result came from the pope’s exertions“

Response of the Church

1. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, he raised two nephews to the cardinalate, including the young Rodrigo, later Alexander VI, and gave a third the Castle of Sant'Angelo and the title of Duke of Spoleto. This fed the charges of nepotism then openly raised.
   Evidence: Robert Appleton Company / The Encyclopedia Press (Wikisource), Artikel Pope Callistus III

   „He had already raised to the cardinalate two of his nephews, one of whom, the youthful Rodrigo, was later to become Pope Alexander VI“

See also

• Person 1 Jan 1431-18 Aug 1503 · 72 years old

  Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia)

  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Vatican City
  • Expropriation
  • Financial misconduct
• 1452-2023 · 571 years

  Papal bulls on conquest and enslavement and the "Doctrine of Discovery"

  • Bolivia
  • Portugal
  • Vatican City
  • Admission
  • Expropriation
  • Colonialism
  • Slavery

Scholarly literature and reference works

1. Reference work
   Cambridge University Press (Wikisource): Calixtus, in: Encyclopædia Britannica (1911), Bd. 5, 1 January 1911. Original (retrieved 31 Oct 2026)
2. Reference work
   Robert Appleton Company / The Encyclopedia Press (Wikisource): Pope Callistus III, in: Catholic Encyclopedia (1908), Bd. 3, 1 January 1908. Original (retrieved 31 Oct 2026)

Last changed on 31 October 2026. Is something missing or wrong? Suggest an addition or correction.