Final answer:
People believed the rumors of incest surrounding Pope Alexander VI due to his desire for power, wealth, love, and revenge.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rumors of incest surrounding Pope Alexander VI were believed due to a combination of factors, including his desire for power,
- Pope Alexander's desire for power: The political power that popes held during that time made it plausible for people to believe that they would engage in immoral acts to maintain their authority.
- Pope Alexander's longing for wealth: The corrupt practices prevalent in the Church, such as simony and nepotism, fostered a perception that popes were driven by their desire for material wealth.
- Pope Alexander's longing for love: The rumors of incest could have emerged from the close relationships that Pope Alexander maintained with his family members, particularly his children and their mothers.
- Pope Alexander's longing for revenge: Given the political and power struggles within the Catholic Church, it was possible for people to believe that Pope Alexander would resort to extreme measures, including incest, to retaliate against his rivals.