Pope Alexander VI
In 1494, as Charles VIII of France entered Italy with a powerful army, his rapid approach toward Rome sent shockwaves through the city. Fearing for his safety, Pope Alexander VI made a dramatic escape through the Passetto di Borgo, the hidden corridor linking the Vatican to Castel Sant’Angelo. Shielded from public view, the elevated passage allowed him to slip away undetected and take refuge in the heavily fortified castle. This event underscored the strategic importance of the Passetto as a secret lifeline for the papacy during times of invasion and unrest.