In the 95 Theses, Luther states in the name of the Pope, that the Pope will be rescued in his reverence and to save him from slander. Luther claims to the people he is innocent after all.

Generally, this can be proof that Luther believed that the Pope genuinely did not know what the indulgence salesmen were saying, but, I believe that Luther was only benefiting the side of the Pope to protect himself. I mean, think about it. Luther was already on thin ice when he exposed the indulgences and corruption of the Church. I couldn’t even imagine Luther getting away with exposing the Pope. Especially in the year of 1517.

In the 95 theses, Luther clearly states that the Pope has all the riches and instead of helping the poor or benefiting the citizens he keeps it all to himself, leaving the poor to pay for the reconstruction of St. Peter’s Basilica on their own. Luther had a series of questions that clearly embarrassed the Pope and called him out. So why all of a sudden does Luther have a change of heart? I think not. I believe Luther might have been threatened with his life and his right of expression. And the expression is clearly something Luther cared about. So inevitably Luther decided to make a sacrifice by excusing the Pope’s gaffe.

In the 95 Theses Luther isn’t trying to keep the Pope from embarrassment and slander. In fact, Luther is the one slandering the Pope. It appears through the 95 theses that Luther believed the Church to be corrupt and the Pope as well. Luther was a smart cookie and he was able to fish out the corruption of the Pope. But because the Pope has such esteemed power – obviously, he’s the Pope for Christ’s sake- Luther was left to later confess that the Pope was innocent. I mean, anyone in their right mind would be very skeptical about this endeavor.

In conclusion – No, I do not think that Luther genuinely believed the Pope to be completely oblivious about this oversight. In fact, I believe Luther was very much aware of all the corruption that took place within the Church and the Pope. Luther later claimed righteous things about the Pope. This leads me to believe that Luther was intensely pressured and forced to do so.