How did Francis I respond to the growing conflict between Catholics and Reformers in France?

Francis I’s response to the Reformation in France was initially complex and inconsistent, shifting from moderate tolerance to active persecution as political circumstances evolved.1

• Early Ambivalence: Initially, Francis I showed some favor toward humanist reformers like Jacques Lefèvre d’Étaples and even his own sister, Margaret of Angoulême. While he forbade the publication of Lutheran works in 1521 to demonstrate his orthodoxy during wartime, he was generally open to moderate, orthodox reform and sought political alliances with Lutheran German princes.1
• Radical Policy Shift: In 1534, the appearance of anti-Catholic placards in Paris and at the royal court alarmed the king, who feared the movement threatened social order and his control over the realm. This prompted a radical change in policy, leading Francis I to initiate a series of repressive, persecuting edicts against Protestants.1

Unlike the German princes, Francis I had little incentive to break with Rome, as the 1516 Concordat of Bologna already granted the French crown significant autonomy and control over the church within France.1