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Why did Pope Pius V abolish the sale of indulgences in 1567?

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Anastasis (Christ ascending from hell), apse fresco, c. 1320; in the Church of the Holy Saviour at the Monastery of the Chora (now the Kariye Museum), Istanbul. — purgatory *Anastasis* (Christ ascending from hell), apse fresco, c. 1320; in the Church of the Holy Saviour at the Monastery of the Chora (now the Kariye Museum), Istanbul.

The sale of indulgences was abolished by Pope Pius V in 1567 as part of a broader effort by the Roman Catholic Church to reform its penitential system and address widespread corruption.12

For centuries, the practice of granting indulgences—which were intended to remit the temporal punishment due for sin—had become increasingly linked to monetary payments. This system, often referred to as "commutation," allowed individuals to substitute charitable offerings or financial contributions for other forms of penance. Over time, these practices led to significant abuses, as the sale of indulgences was frequently used to fund church projects, such as the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica, or to settle personal debts of high-ranking clergy.234

Following the criticisms raised during the Reformation, the Council of Trent (1545–1563) sought to define church doctrine and eliminate these abuses. In 1563, the Council condemned "all base gain for securing indulgences," and Pope Pius V subsequently formalized this by abolishing the sale of indulgences entirely in 1567, thereby attempting to restore the integrity of the church's spiritual mission.24