Pope Nicholas II succeeds Pope Stephen IX…

Pope Nicholas II succeeds Pope Stephen IX as the 155th Pope, installed in Rome in opposition to Antipope Benedict X on January 24, 1059.

Meanwhile, Peter Damian and Bishop Anselm of Lucca have been sent by Nicholas II to Milan to adjust the difference between the Patarenes and the archbishop and clergy.

The result is a fresh triumph for the papacy.

Archbishop Wido, in the face of the ruinous conflict in the Church of Milan, is forced to submit to the terms proposed by the legates, which involve the principle of the subordination of Milan to Rome; the new relation is advertised by the unwilling attendance of Wido and the other Milanese bishops at the council summoned to the Lateran palace in April 1059.

The organization of the senior priests of certain parish churches in Rome has, by the eleventh century, developed into the sacred college of cardinals.

Initially functioning as assistants and counselors to the popes, the cardinals become, in 1059, the papal electors as well, when, on April 13, Pope Nicholas II, with the agreement of the Lateran Council, issues the papal bull In nomine Domini making the College of Cardinals the sole voters in the papal conclave for the election of popes.

This council not only continues the Hildebrandine reforms by sharpening the discipline of the clergy, but marks an epoch in the history of the papacy by its famous regulation of future elections to the Holy See.

Previously, Papal elections had been effectively controlled by the Roman aristocracy, unless the Emperor was strong enough to be able to intervene from a distance to impose his will.

As a result of the battles with the Antipope Benedict X, Nicholas II wishes to reform papal elections.

At the synod held in the Lateran at Easter, 1059, Pope Nicholas brings 113 bishops to Rome to consider a number of reforms, including a change in the election procedure.

The electoral reform adopted by this synod amounted to a declaration of independence on the part of the church.

Henceforth, popes are to be selected by the Cardinals in assembly at Rome.