It wasn't until January 1518 that friends of Luther translated the "95 Theses" from Latin into German, printed, and widely copied, making the controversy one of the first in history to be aided by the printing press. Within two weeks, copies of the theses had spread throughout Germany; within two months throughout Europe. In contrast to the speed with which the theses were distributed, the response of the papacy was painstakingly slow. After three years of debate and negotiations involving Luther, government, and church officials, on 15 June 1520, the Pope warned Luther with the papal bull (edict) "Exsurge Domine" that he risked excommunication unless he recanted 41 sentences drawn from his writings, including the 95 Theses, within 60 days.