She now, by taking a hand in the affairs of Italy, endeavored to grasp what she had hitherto let slip by,--namely, the opportunity of becoming the head of the Latin world and, above all, the center of gravity of European politics and civilization.

She soon forced herself into the Papacy and into the Empire.

From Spain the Borgias first came to the Holy See, and from there later came Charles V to ascend the imperial throne.

From Spain came also Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the most powerful politico-religious order history has ever known.
Alfonso Borgia, one of the most active opponents of the Council of Basle and of the Reformation in Germany, was elected pope in 1455, assuming the name Calixtus III.

Innumerable were his kinsmen, many of whom he had found settled in Rome when he, as cardinal, had taken up his residence there.