Origins Nepotism
the term comes italian word nepotismo, based on latin root nepos meaning nephew. since middle ages , until late 17th century, catholic popes , bishops, had taken vows of chastity, , therefore had no legitimate offspring of own, gave nephews such positions of preference accorded fathers son. several popes elevated nephews , other relatives cardinalate. often, such appointments means of continuing papal dynasty . instance, pope callixtus iii, head of borgia family, made 2 of nephews cardinals; 1 of them, rodrigo, later used position cardinal stepping stone papacy, becoming pope alexander vi. alexander elevated alessandro farnese, mistress s brother, cardinal; farnese later go on become pope paul iii. paul iii engaged in nepotism, appointing, instance, 2 nephews, aged 14 , 16, cardinals. practice limited when pope innocent xii issued bull romanum decet pontificem, in 1692. papal bull prohibited popes in times bestowing estates, offices, or revenues on relative, exception 1 qualified rela...