31. Alexander VI shocked everyone by acknowledging his illegitimate children
Although his sexual misconduct was widely-known, the least the new pope could do was attempt to bury his past. Oh, no. Perhaps deciding that the cat was out of the bag anyway, he publically acknowledged his illegitimate children. His contemporaries, and especially enemies, were shocked by Alexander’s carefree attitude to the reputation of the papacy. But despite his unholy lifestyle, Alexander was a great administrator, having governed such a vast collection of estates. Sorting out numerous problems neglected by his predecessor, Innocent VIII, soon hushed most wagging tongues.
