The Resume

(January 1, 1431-August 18, 1503)
Born in Xativa, Spain
Birth name was Rodrigo Borgia
Nephew of Pope Calixtus III
Pope of the Catholic Church (1492-1503)

Why he might be annoying:

He rose through the church hierarchy thanks to nepotism.
He was elected pope by bribing members of the College of Cardinals.
He had at least seven children, including Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia.
At age 62, he took a sixteen-year-old mistress.
He had fifty prostitutes working a banquet where he offered prizes to the guest who had sex the most times.
His successor, Pope Pius III, forbade the saying of a mass for his soul on the grounds that 'It is blasphemous to pray for the damned.'

Why he might not be annoying:

Some historians suggest the most lurid stories about him were invented by his political enemies.
After his son Giovanni was murdered, he announced he would dedicate himself to reforming the Church. (However, it was a short-lived phase.)
He was a patron of the arts, hiring Raphael and Michelangelo.
He welcomed to Rome Jews expelled from Spain and Portugal, declaring they were 'permitted to lead their life, free from interference from Christians.'

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Born on New Year's Day [January 1st] (Ranked: 1431)
• Breeders [Have 5 or More Kids] (Ranked: 7)
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 10]
• House of Borgia
• I am a Spaniard
• I Fathered Children Out of Wedlock
• I Outlived My Child
• Italian Royalty
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• My Child Was Murdered
• My Uncle is Famous Too
• Popes
• Profiles 22501-22750 (Ranked: 22614)
• Religious Figures in Sex Scandals
• Renaissance Men (and Women)
• Time Magazine's 10 Most Controversial Popes (Ranked: 3)

Year In Review:

For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 30 Votes: 86.67% Annoying
In 2023, Out of 110 Votes: 48.18% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 39 Votes: 23.08% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 98 Votes: 46.94% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 111 Votes: 52.25% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 123 Votes: 47.15% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 41 Votes: 53.66% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 44 Votes: 77.27% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 29 Votes: 58.62% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 63 Votes: 50.79% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 18 Votes: 61.11% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 69 Votes: 47.83% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 91 Votes: 47.25% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 156 Votes: 46.15% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 163 Votes: 39.88% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 136 Votes: 40.44% Annoying