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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.