Page "Pope Callixtus III" Paragraph 1

Alfonso de Borja was born in La Torreta, now a neighbourhood of Canals, Valencia – today in Spain – but at that time in the Kingdom of Valencia under the Crown of Aragon.

He was the son of Domingo de Borja and Francina Llançol.

During the western schism he supported Antipope Benedict XIII, and was the driving force behind Antipope Clement VIII's submission to Pope Martin V in 1429.

His early career was spent as a professor of law at the University of Lleida and then as a diplomat in the service of the Kings of Aragon, especially during the Council of Basel ( 1431 – 1439 ).

He became a cardinal after reconciling Pope Eugene IV with King Alfonso V of Aragon.