Christians are to be taught that the pope would and should wish to give of his own money, even though he had to sell the basilica of St. Peter, to many of those from whom certain hawkers of indulgences cajole money.

Summary

This quote, often attributed to Martin Luther during the Protestant Reformation, emphasizes the idea that the Pope should be willing to use his personal wealth, even if it means selling important religious structures like the Basilica of St. Peter, to help those who are being deceived by greedy indulgence sellers. It criticizes the practice of selling indulgences, which were pardons for sins purchased from the Catholic Church, suggesting that such acts manipulatively target individuals for financial gain. The quote underscores a call for moral responsibility and a critique of the corruption observed within the Church during that time.

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