Election of Pope Alexander VI

Timeline

1. 1492Sistine Chapel · VaticanInnocent VIII died on July 25, beginning the vacancy. Of 27 cardinals, 23 attended, meeting in closed session in the Sistine Chapel on August 6. Main contenders included Giuliano della Rovere, Oliviero Carafa, and Rodrigo Borgia; the latter, long-serving secretary, had the greatest wealth and connections.
2. 1492Sistine Chapel · VaticanIn the first three rounds Carafa, Costa, and others led, with Borgia not ahead. In the fourth ballot before dawn on August 11, Ascanio Sforza switched to Borgia, who obtained the two-thirds majority needed and took the name Alexander VI. Contemporaries alleged he traded the secretaryship, offices, and even cash for votes, making this one of the most famous electoral controversies of the Renaissance papacy.
3. 1492St. Peter's Basilica · VaticanAfter the election result was announced, some Roman citizens welcomed it, citing Borgia's long administrative ability. He was crowned on August 26 and formally began his pontificate, immediately placing his children and kin, as the papacy entered a new phase marked by Borgia family politics.