How did the Donation of Constantine impact the Protestant Reformation?

The Donation of Constantine was a forged document that purportedly granted the Pope authority over vast territories in the Western Roman Empire. Its exposure as a forgery in the 15th century undermined the legitimacy of papal power and contributed to the growing skepticism about the Catholic Church's authority. This loss of credibility helped fuel the Protestant Reformation, as reformers like Martin Luther questioned not only the Church's practices but also its foundational claims to power. Ultimately, the revelation reinforced calls for reform and the need to return to scriptural authority, key tenets of the Reformation movement.