It seems far fetched perhaps to the point of being ASB, but considering so many things in OTL are...
Let's say that Luther keeps his ideas to himself long enough to eventually rise to the Papacy. Whatever needs to happen to get him there, so be it.
But now as Pope, let's say he reforms the Catholic church in sort of a Catholic-Protestant compromise and the Reformed Catholic Church does not split. No Protestantism. A more relaxed Catholic church perhaps, but one where tradition is still kept sacred, just not vital. Confession becomes therapy, the Eucharist is recognized as traditional, etc.
What does Pope Martin Luther's (not sure of his Papal name yet) papacy look like? What are its effects?
Discuss the butterflies on history in Europe and in the world.
Let's say that Luther keeps his ideas to himself long enough to eventually rise to the Papacy. Whatever needs to happen to get him there, so be it.
But now as Pope, let's say he reforms the Catholic church in sort of a Catholic-Protestant compromise and the Reformed Catholic Church does not split. No Protestantism. A more relaxed Catholic church perhaps, but one where tradition is still kept sacred, just not vital. Confession becomes therapy, the Eucharist is recognized as traditional, etc.
What does Pope Martin Luther's (not sure of his Papal name yet) papacy look like? What are its effects?
Discuss the butterflies on history in Europe and in the world.