# Papal election decree (1059)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/1059-papal-election-decree
Location: Rome
Themes: Papacy

Pope Nicholas II's decree reserves papal elections to the cardinals. At this point in the timeline (1059), the Bishop of Rome was Pope Nicholas II (6 December 1058 – 27 July 1061). His claim was contested by Antipope Benedict X.

## Why it matters
Papal election decree mattered because it shaped the authority, policy or public role of the papacy and the Catholic Church.

Pope at the time: [Pope Nicholas II](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-nicholas-ii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — In nomine Domini](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_nomine_Domini)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Papal election decree](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Papal+election+decree)
- [Wikipedia — Medieval Church (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Catholic_Church#Middle_Ages)