from the outset, he continued the policies of his father, but was immediately requested in letter by pope nicholas ii first in 1059. and then in 1060 to reform the croatian church in accordance with the roman rite. this was especially significant to the papacy in the aftermath of the great schism of 1054, when a papal ally in the balkans was a necessity. this was in accordance with the visit of the papal legate mainardius in 1060, kresimir and the upper nobility lent their support to the pope and the church of rome.