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Political turmoil further influenced the split as conflicts, such as the Fourth Crusade, saw Catholic forces loot Constantinople, deepening the animosity. The schism ultimately became irreversible, with the Roman Church evolving into the Catholicism known today, while the Eastern churches retained their Orthodox identity.
The Emergence of Protestantism
Fast forward to the 16th century; Christianity faced internal struggles within the Catholic Church itself. Corruption and financial scandals, notably epitomized by the sale of indulgences, catalyzed the emergence of Protestantism. Martin Luther's famous 95 Theses, critiquing church practices, marked the beginning of a widespread Reformation movement that questioned papal authority, tradition, and the nature of salvation.