Nicholas III (1277-1280) was the last of the non-dynastic popes of the Middle Ages. He was a controversial figure who was both praised and criticized for his actions during his brief papacy. His reign was marked by a number of significant events, including the election of a new College of Cardinals, the establishment of the papal court, and the beginning of the Avignon Papacy.
Nicholas III was born in Rome in 1227 and was the son of a wealthy Roman nobleman. He was educated at the University of Bologna and was ordained a priest in 1250. He quickly rose through the ranks of the Church, becoming a cardinal in 1261 and eventually being elected pope in 1277.
Nicholas III was a strong advocate of papal authority and was determined to restore the power of the papacy. He was a firm believer in the divine right of the pope and sought to strengthen the Church's position in Europe. He was also a strong supporter of the Franciscan Order and sought to promote its teachings.
One of the most significant events of Nicholas III's papacy was the election of a new College of Cardinals. This was a major step in the development of the papal court and the papal bureaucracy. The College of Cardinals was responsible for electing the pope and for advising him on matters of Church policy.
Nicholas III also established the papal court, which was responsible for the administration of justice and the enforcement of papal decrees. This was a major step in the development of the papal bureaucracy and the papal court system.
Nicholas III was also responsible for the beginning of the Avignon Papacy. This was a period of time in which the papacy was based in Avignon, France, rather than Rome. This period of time was marked by a number of significant events, including the election of a new pope, the establishment of the papal court, and the beginning of the Avignon Papacy.
Nicholas III was a controversial figure during his brief papacy. He was praised for his efforts to strengthen the papacy and restore its power, but he was also criticized for his authoritarianism and his disregard for the rights of the people. He was also criticized for his support of the Franciscan Order and his promotion of its teachings.
Nicholas III's papacy was short-lived, but it was a significant period of time in the history of the Church. His efforts to strengthen the papacy and restore its power were significant, and his election of a new College of Cardinals and the establishment of the papal court were major steps in the development of the papal bureaucracy. His reign also marked the beginning of the Avignon Papacy, which was a period of time in which the papacy was based in Avignon, France, rather than Rome. Despite his controversial actions, Nicholas III was an important figure in the history of the Church and his papacy was a significant period of time in the history of the Church.