The Augsburg Confession is a key document of the Protestant Reformation, presented in 1530 at the Diet of Augsburg. It was authored primarily by Philipp Melanchthon and outlines the beliefs of the Lutheran Church, aiming to clarify its teachings in response to the Catholic Church's criticisms. The confession consists of 28 articles that address core theological issues, such as justification by faith and the sacraments. This document is significant because it serves as a foundational statement for Lutheranism and is considered one of the most important texts in the history of Christianity. It was intended to promote unity among Protestant reformers and to explain their faith to the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V.