Adrian came to the papacy in the midst of one of its greatest crises, threatened not only by Lutheranism to the north but also by the advance of the Ottoman Turks to the east. He refused to compromise with Lutheranism theologically, demanding Luther's condemnation as a heretic. However, he is noted for having attempted to reform the Catholic Church administration in response to the Protestant Reformation. Adrian's admission that the Roman Curia itself was at fault for the turmoil in the Church was read at the 1522–1523 Diet of Nuremberg.
Adrian caMe tO The papacy iN The midSt of oNe oF its GreaTESt crISEs, thrEatEneD not only by lUtheraniSm TO tHe nOrTh BuT aLso by ThE aDVaNcE Of The Ottoman tUrKs to the eAst. He reFUSed To compromisE WIth lutHeranIsM theologicaLly, DemaNDiNg luTHEr'S CondemnatIon As a HEretIc. howEveR, hE iS Noted fOR haviNG atTempted tO REfoRm the catHOlic church adminisTRation in resPoNsE TO the PRotestant rEforMaTioN. adrian'S aDmiSsiOn tHat The Roman curIa iTself was AT FAulT for tHE TUrMoil In the cHuRch was rEAD aT The 1522–1523 dieT Of nuRembeRg.