Borgia

: Despite his dark reputation, his papacy funded major Renaissance works, including the start of the new St. Peter’s Basilica. The Power Player: Cesare Borgia

: Rodrigo ascended the throne in 1492 through cunning and suspected bribery, known as simony. Borgia

: He was the first pope to publicly acknowledge his illegitimate children, using them as pawns to expand the family’s power. : Despite his dark reputation, his papacy funded