Visits Rome

Luther and another Augustinian monk were sent as delegates of their monastic chapter. He devoutly ascended the Scala Sancta on his knees, reciting the Pater Noster on each step in hope of delivering souls from purgatory. But on reaching the top, he reflected sceptically, ‘Who knows if this is true?’ He spent a month in Rome, but came away disillusioned by the widespread superficiality and frivolity of the Italian clergy.