Henry VIII came into conflict with the Pope primarily because of his desire to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, in order to marry Anne Boleyn. The Pope, who was opposed to divorce, refused to annul the marriage, leading Henry to break away from the Catholic Church and establish the Church of England, with himself as the head. This act, known as the English Reformation, led to the dissolution of monasteries, the confiscation of Church lands, and the persecution of Catholics in England. The conflict between Henry VIII and the Pope ultimately resulted in the English monarchs breaking away from the authority of the Pope and establishing their own independent church.
