19. The Renaissance: Fuel for the Reformation

The Medici Pope, Leo X, authorized the sale of indulgences, in part to raise money for the rebuilding of St. Peter's in Rome. More than any other single factor, it was this that sparked the reaction of Martin Luther, and triggered a series of events that would ultimately explode into European history as the Protestant Reformation. This discussion highlights the life of Giovanni de Medici, Pope Leo X, and also explores the remarkable career of the most famous artist of the Renaissance, Michelangelo, and his complicated relationship with the Medici family.