10 Facts About Francis Borgia

Francis Borgia's father was Juan Borgia, 3rd Duke of Gandia, the son of Giovanni Borgia, the son of Pope Alexander VI.

Francis Borgia's mother was Juana, daughter of Alonso de Aragon, Archbishop of Zaragoza, who, in turn, was the illegitimate son of King Ferdinand II of Aragon.

Francis Borgia excelled there, accompanying the Emperor on several campaigns.

In 1543 upon the death of his father, the 3rd Duke, Francis Borgia became the 4th Duke of Gandia.

In 1546 his wife Eleanor died, and Francis Borgia then decided to enter the newly formed Society of Jesus, after making adequate provisions for his children.

Francis Borgia put his affairs in order circa 1551, renounced his titles in favour of his eldest son Carlos de Borja-Aragon y de Castro-Melo, and became a Jesuit priest.

Francis Borgia helped in the establishment of what is the Gregorian University in Rome.

Francis Borgia felt incompletion to spend time in seclusion and prayer, but his administrative talents made him a natural for other tasks.

Francis Borgia founded the Collegium Romanum, which was to become the Gregorian University, advised kings and popes, and closely supervised all the affairs of the mushrooming order.

Yet, despite being the supreme, Francis Borgia led a humble life and was acclaimed in his own lifetime as a saint.