After an unsuccessful attempt to secure a Frombork canonry for his nephew, the Bishop of Warmia, Lucas Watzenrode, decided in the summer of 1496 to send him to Bologna University. 

Officially announced by Pope Alexander VI in April 1498, the jubilee celebrations of 1500 attracted great numbers of pilgrims to the Eternal City and Copernicus and his brother Andreas were among the crowds. 

On 28 July 1501 Nicolaus Copernicus and his brother Andreas were granted permission to continue their interrupted studies in sunny Italy. 

After completing his two years in Padua, Copernicus was to return to Warmia and present his doctorate in law.