Pope Alexander VI; born Roderic Llan鏾l i de Borja (1 January 1431 - 18 August 1503); was Pope from 11 August 1492 until his death. He is the most controversial of the Renaissance popes; because he broke the priestly vow of celibacy and had several legitimately acknowledged children. Therefore his Italianized Valencian surname; Borgia; became a byword for libertinism and nepotism; which are traditionally considered as characterizing his pontificate. However; two of Alexander's successors; Sixtus V and Urban VIII; described him as one of the most outstanding popes since St. Peter. Pictures From History