Tomás de Borja y Castro facts for kids
Tomás de Borja y Castro (born around 1551 – September 13, 1610) was an important Spanish noble. He belonged to the famous Borja family. Tomás became a high-ranking church leader. He served as the Bishop of Málaga and later as the Archbishop of Zaragoza.
Life and Education
Tomás de Borja y Castro studied at important universities in Spain. First, he attended the Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso in Alcalá de Henares, near Madrid. After that, he went to the Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé in Salamanca. There, he earned a special degree called a doctorate in theology. Theology is the study of religious faith and God. After his studies, he decided to dedicate his life to the church.
In 1571, Tomás went on a trip across Europe to Rome. He traveled with his brother, Francisco de Borja, who would later become a saint. When they arrived in Rome, Tomás was given an important job. He became a consultant for the Roman Inquisition. This meant he gave advice on religious matters. When he returned to Spain, he was made a canon of Toledo. A canon is a type of priest. He also became the Abbot of the Iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad Orense. An abbot is the head of a monastery or church.
Serving as Bishop and Archbishop
In 1599, Philip III of Spain, the King of Spain, chose Tomás to be the Bishop of Málaga. Soon after he became bishop, a terrible sickness spread. This sickness, a type of plague, came from Spanish soldiers returning from Spanish Morocco and other parts of Africa. The plague was so bad that people would fall ill very quickly. Hospitals could not handle all the sick people.
Tomás de Borja y Castro showed great courage during this time. He dedicated himself to helping those who were sick. He even cared for people whom others were too afraid to go near, fearing they would also get sick. The plague lasted for two years. It caused many people to die. So many jobs were left empty that people had to move from other parts of Spain to fill them.
In 1603, Tomás was named the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Zaragoza. This was an even higher position in the church. Then, in 1606, he was also made the Captain General of Aragón. This was an important military and political role.
Tomás de Borja y Castro passed away on September 13, 1610. He was about 70 years old. He was buried in a special tomb at the Colegio de las Vírgenes.
Legacy and Recognition
To honor Tomás de Borja y Castro, there is a street named after him in the Spanish city of Málaga. You can find it in an area called Pedregalejo.
See also
- House of Borja
- In Spanish: Tomás de Borja para niños
