Pope Nicholas II establishes election system for popes in 1059

In the Middle Ages, the papal election process was often marred by chaos and violence, prompting the church to seek a more structured system. Initially, the pope was chosen by the people of Rome, but this process evolved over time as various issues arose, such as looting during the death of a pope. In 1059, Pope Nicholas II established a significant change, ruling that only cardinal-bishops would elect future popes to help stabilize the system. Despite this, the need for secrecy and isolation of the electors became increasingly critical, leading to further reforms. By the 14th century, the isolation of cardinals during conclaves became an essential part of the election process to prevent outside interference and internal discord, culminating in the well-regarded conclave system still in use today.