The papal election in 1130 was marked by significant conflict and division within the College of Cardinals. This election took place under the shadow of the Investiture Controversy, where the authority of the pope in appointing bishops was heavily contested between secular and ecclesiastical powers. The two principal candidates were John of Crema, who had the backing of powerful factions in Rome, and Peter of Leon, who represented an opposing group. As the election unfolded, the existing rifts among the cardinals became pronounced, reflecting broader issues in church governance at this time.

The process of electing a pope also faced challenges due to political pressures. The cardinals found themselves split along lines of loyalty to various Roman nobles, and this deeply influenced their choice. The uncertainty and strife surrounding this election also had implications for the competence of the papacy to assert its independence from local political constraints. The eventual election led to a period where rival factions declared each candidate as pope, resulting in a schism that affected the credibility of the papal authority.

As the aftermath unfolded, both sides pushed their narratives to rally support, but the result was a fragmentation of church authority that underscored the need for a stronger centralized papal power in Europe. The divisions this election sowed would contribute to issues in papal legitimacy that continued to affect the church for many years to come.