A Young Man’s Dream
The warm Spanish sun beat down on young Rodrigo Borgia as he walked through the streets of Xàtiva. It was 1442, and the boy who would one day become one of history's most famous popes was just eleven years old.
"Mama, will I ever see Rome?" Rodrigo asked, his eyes bright with wonder.
Isabella Borgia smiled at her son. "With your uncle Alfonso becoming a bishop, anything is possible, my dear boy."
Rodrigo was not like other children. While they played in the streets, he spent hours watching the priests and nobles who passed through their town. He dreamed big dreams.
Young Rodrigo had a special talent. He could make friends easily and remember everything people told him. These skills would help him later in life.
"Your mind is sharp as a sword," his uncle Alfonso told him one day. "You should use it to serve God and the Church."
When Rodrigo turned eighteen, his uncle helped him move to Italy. Rome was bigger and grander than anything he had ever seen!
Learning the Ways of Rome
In Rome, Rodrigo studied very hard. He learned about laws and how the Church worked. But he learned something even more important – he learned how to make powerful friends.
"Remember, nephew," Uncle Alfonso would say, "in Rome, who you know matters as much as what you know."
Rodrigo was good at remembering names and faces. He knew just what to say to make people like him. Soon, important people started noticing the clever young man from Spain.
Life in Rome was very different from his quiet days in Spain. The city was full of art, music, and politics. Rodrigo loved it all!
"One day," he told himself, looking at the grand St. Peter's Church, "I will be important here."
A Family’s Hope
Back in Spain, the Borgia family waited for news of Rodrigo's success. His mother prayed for him every day. His sisters told their children stories about their brave brother in Rome.
Rodrigo wrote to them often:
"Dear Mama,
Rome is beautiful. Uncle Alfonso says I am doing well. The Cardinals like me. Maybe one day I will wear the red hat too!
Your loving son,
Rodrigo"
The young man from Spain worked hard every day. He made new friends and learned new things. Some people didn't like that a Spanish family was becoming so powerful in Rome, but Rodrigo didn't care.
"Let them talk," he would say with a smile. "Actions speak louder than words."
Every night, before he went to bed, Rodrigo would look out his window at the lights of Rome. The city seemed to whisper to him, promising great things to come. And he was ready to answer its call.
The Rise Through Ranks
The marble halls of the Vatican echoed with whispers as Rodrigo Borgia walked by. He was no longer the young man from Spain – now he was climbing higher in the Church.
"Did you hear?" one priest whispered to another. "Borgia made three new friends among the Cardinals this week!"
Making Smart Moves
Rodrigo knew how to make people happy. He threw big parties where important people could meet. He helped solve problems between fighting nobles. Soon, everyone wanted to be his friend.
"Uncle Alfonso," Rodrigo said one evening, "the other Cardinals are starting to trust me."
"Good," his uncle replied with a smile. "But remember – trust is like a delicate flower. You must care for it every day."
Money and Power
Rodrigo was very good with money. He knew how to make it grow, like a farmer growing crops. He used this money to help people who needed it.
The noble families of Italy started coming to him for help:
"Cardinal Borgia, we need your wisdom."
"Please help us solve this problem."
"You are the only one we trust."
Making New Friends
Rodrigo knew that friends in high places were important. He made friends with the powerful Orsini family, the smart Medici family, and many others.
Some people didn't like how powerful he was getting. They spread mean stories about him. But Rodrigo stayed calm.
"Let them talk," he would say. "While they waste time with words, I build friendships that last."
Facing Challenges
Not everything was easy. Some old Roman families didn't like this Spanish Cardinal getting so much power. They tried to stop him.
But Rodrigo was smart. When people tried to hurt him with mean words, he helped them instead. Soon, even his enemies had to admit he was good at his job.
Dreams Getting Bigger
As each year passed, Rodrigo's dreams grew bigger. He wasn't just thinking about being a Cardinal anymore. He started looking at the Pope's throne.
"One day," he thought, watching the Pope lead prayers, "I could do more for Rome. I could make it even greater."
The sun was setting over Rome, painting the sky in beautiful colors. Rodrigo stood at his window, just like he used to when he was younger. But now he wasn't just dreaming – he was planning.
Cardinals whispered in the halls, nobles made plans in their palaces, and all of Rome watched to see what Cardinal Borgia would do next. The biggest part of his story was about to begin.
A Pope Is Chosen
The summer heat in Rome was stronger than ever that August of 1492. Cardinals from all over came to choose a new Pope. Rodrigo Borgia watched them arrive, his heart beating fast.
The Big Meeting
“Today is the day,” Rodrigo whispered to himself as he fixed his red Cardinal’s robe. The time had come to make his biggest dream come true.
As Rodrigo walked into the chapel, he could feel everyone’s eyes on him. Some Cardinals smiled, remembering the help he had given them. Others looked worried.
Making Promises
“My dear friends,” Rodrigo said to a group of Cardinals. “If you choose me as Pope, I will make sure Rome becomes the most beautiful city in the world!”
He went from Cardinal to Cardinal, talking softly:
“I will help your family.”
“Your church needs fixing? I will make it happen.”
“Trust me, and good things will come.”
The Voting Begins
The Cardinals sat in their special chairs. Each one would write their choice on a piece of paper. The room was so quiet you could hear the papers rustling. ✍️
One vote passed. Then another. And another. The smoke stayed black.
The Big Moment
Finally, on the fourth vote, something changed. Rodrigo held his breath as they counted.
“Borgia… Borgia… Borgia…” The name kept coming up.
Becoming Pope Alexander
Everything moved very fast after that. They dressed Rodrigo in white robes instead of red. He chose a new name: Pope Alexander VI.
When he stepped out onto the balcony, thousands of people were waiting below. They cheered and threw flowers.
Not Everyone Is Happy
But even on this happy day, Rodrigo could see some people frowning. Some powerful families in Rome didn’t want a Borgia as Pope.
“They will learn to trust me,” he thought. “I will show them what a Borgia can do for Rome.”
The bells of Rome rang out as the sun set. Rodrigo – now Pope Alexander VI – stood at his window in the Vatican. He wasn’t just dreaming anymore. Now he had the power to make his dreams come true. But with great power comes big problems, and some were already heading his way…
Shadows of Power
The morning sun lit up the Vatican halls as Pope Alexander VI walked with his children. Cesare, in his fancy red clothes, walked on one side. Beautiful Lucrezia, only twelve years old, walked on the other.
The Family Secret
“Papa,” Lucrezia said softly, “why do people whisper when we walk by?”
Alexander looked at his daughter with sad eyes. Most Popes didn’t have children. But he loved his family very much.
Cesare’s Big Choice
“Father,” Cesare spoke up, his voice strong. “I don’t want to be a church person. I want to be a soldier!” ️
Alexander stopped walking. This was a big problem. He had made Cesare a Cardinal, but his son wanted something else.
“My son, sometimes we must do things we don’t like to help our family stay strong.”
“But Father, I can help our family better with a sword than with prayers!”
Lucrezia’s Marriage Plan
Alexander turned to Lucrezia, touching her golden hair. “My dear, you will help our family too. You will marry someone important.”
People Talk
In the streets of Rome, people couldn’t stop talking about the Borgia family:
- “Did you hear about the Pope’s children?”
- “They say Cesare is dangerous!”
- “Little Lucrezia is so pretty, but what will happen to her?”
- “The Borgias are taking over everything!”
Family Problems
That night, Alexander sat in his big room, thinking. He loved his children more than anything. But being Pope meant making hard choices.
More Trouble Coming
Outside the Vatican walls, other powerful families were getting angry. They didn’t like how strong the Borgias were becoming.
“The Orsini family is causing trouble,” a guard told Alexander. “And the Colonna family is gathering soldiers.”
A Father’s Worry
Alexander walked to his window and looked out at Rome. He had worked so hard to become Pope. Now he had to protect his family too.
The sun was setting over Rome. Alexander could hear his children laughing in another room. He smiled, but worry filled his heart. Being the Pope was hard, but being a father might be even harder.
Dark clouds were gathering over Rome. The Borgia family would need all their strength and cleverness to face what was coming next.
Storms of Power
Dark clouds hung over Rome as Pope Alexander VI sat in his study. News of trouble was everywhere. ️
Enemy Armies
“Your Holiness!” A guard rushed in. “The Orsini family has soldiers near Rome!”
Alexander’s face got hard. He knew this day would come. Other powerful families wanted to hurt the Borgias.
Cesare’s Fight
Cesare burst into the room, his eyes bright with excitement. “Father, let me lead our soldiers! I can protect us!” ⚔️
“You are still a Cardinal, my son,” Alexander said sadly.
“But our enemies grow stronger every day! We must fight back!”
“Violence isn’t always the answer, Cesare.”
“Sometimes it’s the only answer, Father.”
Hidden Dangers
At dinner that night, Alexander’s food taster got very sick. Someone had put poison in the Pope’s food!
Lucrezia’s Tears
Lucrezia found her father later. “Papa, I’m scared. Why do people hate us so much?”
Alexander hugged his daughter tight. “They are jealous of our power, my dear. But we are Borgias. We are strong.”
Friends and Enemies
Alexander made a list of who he could trust:
- His family – always loyal
- Some Cardinals who took his money
- The Orsini family – very dangerous
- The Colonna family – wanted him gone
- ❓ The King of France – maybe friendly?
A Brave Plan
“You were right, my son,” Alexander told Cesare. “We need your sword more than your prayers.” ️
Fighting Back
Cesare smiled big. Finally, he could be what he wanted! He started planning right away:
• Make good friends
• Protect Rome
• Keep his family safe
Storm Coming
That night, real lightning lit up Rome’s sky. Alexander watched from his window as rain poured down. ⚡
Thunder boomed over the city. Big changes were coming. The Borgias would need all their strength and smarts to survive what was ahead.
Alexander looked at his son Cesare, now planning battle moves. He looked at Lucrezia, brave even when scared. His family was growing up, getting ready to face their enemies.
The storm outside got bigger. But inside the Vatican, the Borgias were getting ready to fight back. Their enemies would soon learn just how strong this family could be.
Last Days of Glory
The summer of 1503 brought hot winds to Rome. Pope Alexander VI stood at his window, feeling tired.
Strange Sickness
Alexander and Cesare got very sick after eating dinner one night. Their faces turned red with fever.
“Papa, you must fight!” Lucrezia held her father’s hand. Tears ran down her face.
Cesare’s Battle
Cesare was young and strong. He got better, but stayed in bed for weeks.
“Where is my father?” Cesare asked weakly.
“Rest, my lord,” the doctor said. “Save your strength.”
A Pope’s Goodbye
Alexander got worse each day. His last words were about his children:
On August 18, Pope Alexander VI died. Rome would never be the same.
Everything Changes
The Borgia’s enemies moved fast:
- They took the Borgia’s houses
- They stole their money
- They made Cesare leave Rome
- They picked a new Pope who didn’t like the Borgias
- They sent Lucrezia far away
After the Storm
What People Remember
Today, people still talk about the Borgias. Some say they were bad. Others say they were just trying to keep their family safe.
The End of an Era
Lucrezia lived far away and had a happy life. Cesare tried to fight more battles but died in Spain.
The Borgia name lived on in stories and books. People still wonder about:
• Their hidden treasures
• The truth about their family
• The mysteries they left behind
A Family’s Legacy
The Borgias showed that family was the strongest power of all. They changed how people thought about the church and power.
Alexander’s last wish came true – people never forgot the Borgias. Their story teaches us about love, power, and staying together when times are hard. ⭐