Editing Pope Nicholas II (section)

===Election reform===
{{main|In nomine Domini}}
Previously, [[papal election]]s had effectively been controlled by the Roman aristocracy, unless the [[Holy Roman 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 wished to reform papal elections. At the synod held in the Lateran at Easter, 1059, Pope Nicholas brought 113 bishops to Rome to consider several reforms, including a change in the election procedure. The electoral reform adopted by that synod amounted to a declaration of independence on the part of the church. Henceforth, popes were to be selected by the cardinals in assembly in Rome.