The Reformation, a religious movement in the 16th century, profoundly transformed European society by challenging the authority of the Catholic Church. It sparked the rise of Protestantism, leading to increased religious pluralism. This movement encouraged individual interpretation of the Scriptures, democratizing faith and diminishing the Church's monopolistic hold on spiritual and political authority. The resulting fragmentation of the church contributed to social upheaval, wars of religion, and the eventual rise of secular governance. Additionally, it motivated the development of literacy as people sought to read the Bible independently, yielding lasting cultural and intellectual shifts that reshaped Europe.