After the debate at Leipzig, John Eck sought and received from the Pope the excommunication of Luther. By this time, Luther knew he had gone beyond the point of no return with his attack on Papal authority. Luther continued to write and work for the reformation of the church. Finally, after the Pope had exhausted his options to silence Luther, he called upon the newly installed Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V. Charles called a gathering of secular leaders at the city of Worms to examine Luther. It is here that Luther makes his thrilling speech defending his writings and the Reformation. ‘Here I stand - I cannot do otherwise!’