The Diet of Worms was a significant assembly convened to address the growing concerns over Martin Luther's Reformation ideas. It took place in Worms, Germany, from January to May in 1521, gathering key figures of the Holy Roman Empire including nobility and clergy. The diet aimed to resolve the disputes over Luther's influential Ninety-Five Theses, which questioned indulgences and other Church practices. During the proceedings, Luther famously stated, 'Here I stand, I can do no other,' emphasizing his refusal to retract his statements. Following his bold declaration, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, issued the Edict of Worms on May 25, declaring Luther an outlaw and forbidding the publication of his works. As a consequence, Luther was to be arrested, and those who supported or sheltered him could face severe penalties.

The edict marked a crucial turning point in the Reformation. It not only solidified the Church’s opposition to Luther’s ideas but also fueled the emerging Protestant movement. Luther went into hiding shortly thereafter, protected by sympathetic German princes. His subsequent writings and translations of the Bible into German gained immense popularity and encouraged the spread of Reformation thoughts across Europe. The Diet of Worms and the Edict had far-reaching consequences, igniting future religious conflicts and shaping the trajectory of Christianity.