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JULIUS II.
Giuliano della Rovere, Cardinal of S.Pietro in Vincoli, had much in his character that was reminiscent of his terrible uncle, Sixtus IV.
Like that uncle of his, he had many failings highly unbecoming any Christian--laic or ecclesiastic--which no one has attempted to screen; and, incidentally, he cultivated morality in his private life and observed his priestly vows of chastity as little as did any other churchman of his day.

For you may see him, through the eyes of Paride de Grassi,( 1) unable one Good Friday to remove his shoes for the adoration of the cross in consequence of his foot's affliction--ex morbo gallico.
But with one great and splendid virtue was he endowed in the eyes of the enemies of the House of Borgia--contemporary, and subsequent down to our times--a most profound, unchristian, and mordacious hatred of all Borgias.
1 Burchard's successor in the office of Master of Ceremonies.
Roderigo Borgia had defeated him in the Conclave of 1492, and for twelve years had kept him out of the coveted pontificate.

You have seen how he found expression for his furious jealousy at his rival's success.

You have seen him endeavouring to his utmost to accomplish the deposition of the Borgia Pope, wielding to that end the lever of simony and seeking a fulcrum for it, first in the King of France and later in Ferdinand and Isabella; but failing hopelessly in both instances.