Yeah, much more complicated in that the Vatican was low on cash due to the extravagant lifestyle of Leo X. So he was requiring a huge sum of Prince Albert for the archbishopric of Mainz. Prince Albert had a good credit rating and borrowed from the bank of Jacob Fugger. The Pope authorized the new Bishop of Mainz to sell indulgences with half the money from indulgences going to pay back the bank of Jacob Fugger the other half to fund the new basilica (St. Peters.)
“The Pope authorized the new Bishop of Mainz to sell indulgences with half the money from indulgences going to pay back the bank of Jacob Fugger the other half to fund the new basilica (St. Peters.)”
No. No archbishop, bishop, or priest was ever authorized by any pope to sell indulgences. That was a violation of canon law. Albrecht’s own instructional letter for the preachers of indulgences shows they were not to be sold. It’s not like this hasn’t been shown here before: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3466712/posts?page=355#355