Church History · 1059 to 1075

Cardinals Elect the Pope and Gregory VII Claims the Title

In 1059 Pope Nicholas II decreed that the cardinals, led by the cardinal bishops, would choose the pope. In 1075 the Dictatus Papae of Gregory VII declared the title pope to be unique to the bishop of Rome, though the word papa, father, had once been used for many bishops.

Read it in the Bible: Matthew 16:18 Matthew 23:9 1 Peter 5:1

Two changes in the 1000s shaped the papacy we know today. In 1059 Pope Nicholas II decreed that the cardinals, led by the cardinal bishops, would elect the pope, instead of emperors and powerful Roman families. Then in 1075, under Pope Gregory VII, a list of papal claims called the Dictatus Papae declared that the name pope belonged to the bishop of Rome alone. Before that, the word papa, meaning father, had been used for many bishops. This article explains both changes as facts of history, along with the main ways Christians see them.

Where Does the Word Pope Come From?

Pope comes from the Greek and Latin word papa, a warm, family word for father. In the early church it was a term of affection for bishops in general. The oldest known use is for Bishop Heraclas of Alexandria in the 200s. The bishop of Alexandria in Egypt still carries the title today. The head of the Coptic Orthodox Church is called Pope of Alexandria, and so is the Greek Orthodox patriarch there.

In the West, the word was used more and more for the bishop of Rome. By the 1000s, it had become his special title.

How Were Popes Chosen Before 1059?

In the early centuries, the clergy and people of Rome chose their bishop, just as other cities did. Over time, this got messy. Powerful Roman families fought over the office, and emperors often named or approved the pope themselves. In the 1040s, at one point three different men claimed to be pope at the same time. Church reformers wanted the choice taken out of the hands of kings and noble families.

What Did the 1059 Papal Election Decree Say?

In April 1059, Pope Nicholas II held a synod in Rome and issued a decree known by its opening words, In nomine Domini, in the name of the Lord. It said that when a pope died, the cardinal bishops would first agree on a candidate, then the other cardinals would join the election. The rest of the clergy and the people would then give their approval. The emperor kept only a vague honor of confirming the choice.

This was a big step. It made the cardinals the electors of the pope, which they still are today. In 1179 the Third Lateran Council gave all the cardinals an equal vote and required a two thirds majority. Later popes added the rule of the conclave, which means with a key, because cardinals were locked in until they chose.

What Is a Cardinal?

The word cardinal comes from the Latin cardo, meaning hinge. A cardinal was a priest or deacon attached to one of the main churches of Rome, a hinge on which the church turned. By the 500s the word meant principal or leading clergy in Rome. Britannica says the College of Cardinals, as a formal body, dates to about 1150.

Today cardinals are senior leaders chosen by the pope from around the world. Only cardinals under age 80 vote in a papal election, and the number of voters is normally capped at 120.

What Was the Dictatus Papae?

Gregory VII became pope in 1073. He was a fierce reformer who wanted to free the church from control by kings and to end the buying and selling of church offices. In 1075 a list of 27 short statements about the pope's powers was entered into his official register. It is called the Dictatus Papae, the dictates of the pope.

Among other claims, it says the Roman pontiff alone may be called universal, and in its eleventh line it says, "this is the only name in the world." Historians generally read that as reserving the name pope for the bishop of Rome. Scholars still debate whether Gregory wrote the list himself or whether it was a set of notes made by his staff. Either way, it captured his vision of a strong papacy. That vision soon led to a famous showdown with Emperor Henry IV, who ended up standing in the snow at Canossa in 1077 asking forgiveness.

How Do Different Christians See the Papacy?

Catholics believe Jesus made Peter the leader of the apostles and that the bishops of Rome continue that role. They point to this promise.

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18

The Orthodox honor Rome as the first church in honor, but they believe the pope's authority grew beyond what the early church accepted. See the article on the Great Schism. Most Protestants read the rock as Peter's confession that Jesus is the Christ, or as Peter in a foundational role that was not handed down. Some also point to Jesus' words in Matthew 23:9 about calling no one father. Catholics answer that Paul called himself a spiritual father to the churches, so the word is not wrong in itself. Peter himself, interestingly, called himself a fellow elder.

As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: 1 Peter 5:1

Why It Matters for You Today

The 1059 decree and the Dictatus Papae help explain how the modern papacy works and why Christians still talk about it. The reformers of that age wanted the church to be led by spiritual people, not by whoever had the most soldiers. Whatever you think of the papacy, that was a fair goal. Every Christian can agree that the true head of the church is Jesus Christ Himself, and that leaders in His church are meant to serve.

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Questions People Ask

When did cardinals start electing the pope?

In 1059 Pope Nicholas II issued a decree saying the cardinal bishops would lead the choice of a new pope, joined by the other cardinals. In 1179 the Third Lateran Council gave all cardinals an equal vote and required a two thirds majority.

What does the word pope mean?

Pope comes from the Greek and Latin word papa, meaning father. In the early church it was used for many bishops, and the patriarch of Alexandria is still called pope today. In the West it gradually became the special title of the bishop of Rome.

What is the Dictatus Papae?

It is a list of 27 statements about papal powers entered in the register of Pope Gregory VII in 1075. It claims, among other things, that the Roman pontiff alone is universal and that his name is unique in the world. Historians debate whether Gregory wrote it himself.

Why are they called cardinals?

The word comes from the Latin cardo, meaning hinge. It first described clergy attached to the main churches of Rome, who were like hinges on which the church turned. The College of Cardinals became a formal body around 1150.

Sources

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