Pope Nicholas II

Pope Nicholas II, who served as pope from 1059 to 1061, is known for establishing important reforms in the Catholic Church. He emphasized the importance of papal authority and aimed to reduce secular influence over church appointments, promoting the idea that the pope had the ultimate power to select bishops. His papacy marked a shift toward stronger centralized church leadership, laying groundwork for future church reforms. Despite his short tenure, Nicholas II's efforts contributed significantly to the structure and independence of the papacy.