Final answer:
The Protestant Reformation is the 16th-century movement that created Christian churches independent of the pope's authority, sparked by Martin Luther's calls for reform within the Catholic Church.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 16th-century movement for religious reform that led to the founding of Christian churches rejecting the pope's authority is called the Protestant Reformation. This movement began with Martin Luther's critique of the Catholic Church's practices, such as the sale of indulgences, and emphasized faith alone for salvation and scripture as the sole authority.
The Protestant Reformation was distinct from the Counter-Reformation, which was the Catholic Church's response to the challenges posed by Protestant reformers and involved reforms such as the foundation of seminaries and the Council of Trent.