A descendant of the notorious Alexander VI, Francis Borgia spent a part of his life in collecting titles and offices of importance—at one time or other he was Marquis of Lombay, high steward of Charles V and the Empress, Viceroy of Catalonia and Duke of Gandia. Certain reverses of fortune caused him to reflect. He was already a Franciscan tertiary, but this was not enough for him; he became a Jesuit, at first secretly and then publicly, in 1550, having made provision for his eight children. In 1565 he became General of the Society of Jesus. He was a man of wide experience, a clever diplomat and ranks as the second founder of his Order. He died in Rome on October 1, 1572.