The goal of the Reformation during the 16th century was to address perceived corruption and abuses within the Roman Catholic Church and to reform its practices. Initiated by figures like Martin Luther, who famously challenged the sale of indulgences, the Reformation sought to return to what proponents deemed a more authentic interpretation of Christianity and the Bible. This movement led to the emergence of various Protestant denominations, resulting in significant theological, political, and social changes across Europe. The Reformation not only revitalized religious thought but also diminished the Catholic Church's power, fostering a climate of religious pluralism and paving the way for subsequent Enlightenment ideas.