What prompted Henry VIII's break with the Catholic Church?

Henry VIII's break with the Catholic Church was primarily driven by his urgent need for a male heir and the Pope's refusal to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Henry was concerned about the stability of the Tudor dynasty, as Catherine had not borne him a surviving male child. He believed that without a male heir, the throne would be vulnerable, potentially leading to civil unrest or another dynasty taking power.

The Pope’s denial of an annulment was a crucial moment for Henry. He sought permission to marry Anne Boleyn, hoping she would provide the son he desperately wanted. When the Pope refused to grant this annulment, believing he could not contradict the previous papal decision, Henry saw no alternative but to take drastic action against the Catholic Church. This led him to establish the Church of England, effectively making himself the Supreme Head of the Church, thereby allowing him to annul his marriage and marry Anne Boleyn.

Other factors surrounding Henry's decision included personal desires and the rise of reformist ideas, but the immediate catalyst was indeed his pressing need for a male heir and the Pope's opposition to his request for a divorce.