On December 10, 1520, Luther burns a copy of the papal bull, along with a copy of canon law and other Catholic works. Luther and many of his followers were excommunicated in January, 1521. The ecclesiastical ban would be followed by a secular ban of the empire. In April he is summoned to appear before Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms. The Emperor tells Luther to recant, but he refuses.

Luther was guaranteed safe passage home, but Elector Frederick the Wise III decided it would be much safer for Luther to go to his castle at Wartburg. Meanwhile, the Emperor issued the Edict of Worms, calling for Luther’s arrest and banning his writings. Luther was now an outlaw, and anyone could seize him or kill him.