Martin Luther Speaks of Pontiff

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"In the first place, it is painful and shocking to see that the head of Christendom, proclaiming himself the Vicar of Christ and the successor of St. Peter, lives in such a worldly and ostentatious style that no king or emperor can reach and rival him. He claims the titles of "Most Holy" and 

"Most Spiritual", but there is more worldliness in him than in the world itself. He wears a triple crown, whereas the mightiest kings wear only one. If that is like the Lowly Christ or St. Peter, it is to me a new sort of likeness...No matter how his inclinations may lead him, such pomp is evil; and for the sake of his soul's salvation, the pope ought to lay it aside, if only because St. Paul says, 'Abstain from all demeanor which is evil' (1 Thess. 5:22), and again, 'We ought to bring forth what is good, not only in God's sight, but also before all men' (Rom. 12:17)." Martin Luther, Selections from his writings - John Dillenberger p. 418 1961.

"It is incredible, what sins and atrocities are committed in Rome; they must be seen and heard to be believed. So that it is usual to say, 'if there be a hell, Rome is built above it. It is an abyss whence issues every kind of sin.'" History of the Reformation, 16 th Century Book 2. Ch. 2 D'Aubigne',

Because of many threats against his life by the Papacy, he remained resolute in his duty to free the people the heresy of the Papacy. "I am like Jeremiah, a man of strife and contention; but the more their threats increase, the more my joy is multiplied...They have already destroyed my honor and my reputation. One single thing remains; it is my wretched body. Let them take it; they will thus shorten my life by a few hours. But as for my soul, they cannot take that. He who desires to proclaim the word of Christ to the world, must expect death at every moment." Ibid. Book 4, Ch. 4

When the Papal Bull (threat of excommunication) reached Luther, he said: "I despise it, and resist it, as impious and false... It is Christ Himself who is condemned therein. I glory in the prospect of suffering for the best of causes. Already I feel greater liberty; for I know now that the pope is antichrist, and that his throne is that of Satan himself." D'Aubigne', Book 6 ch. 9.

About the destruction of his books, he said: "My enemies have been able by burning my books, to injure the cause of truth in the minds of some, and to destroy souls; for this reason I consume their books in return. A serious struggle has just commenced. Hitherto I have been playing with the pope; now I wage open war. I began this work in God's name; it will be ended without me, and by His might." D' Aubigne', Book 6 ch. 10.

Regarding the Council of Worms, Germany in 1521, Martin Luther stated: "The papists do not desire my coming to Worms, but my condemnation and my death. It matters not. Pray not for me, but for the Word of God...Christ will give me His Spirit to overcome these ministers of error. I despise them during my life; I shall triumph over them by my death. They are busy at Worms about compelling me to retract; and this shall be my retraction: I said formerly that the pope was Christ's vicar; now I assert that he is our Lord's adversary, and the devil's apostle." D'Aubigne'. Book 7, ch. 6.