Nicholas the Second, a Provençal, at first named Gerard, Bishop of Florence, for his virtue and excellent spirit, upon the expulsion of Benedict (who was not regularly so created) was made Pope at Sienna, and immediately thereupon withdrew to Sutri, where, AD 1059, he called a council whither came not only the bishops, but many of the noblemen of Italy, where he forced Benedict to resign the office and habit of Pope and to retire to Veletri; from hence he went to Rome.
Gérard was elected pope in December 1058 and crowned on 24 January 1059 taking the name Nicholas II.[2]
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