Reformanda Initiative

SPECIAL EDITION VATICAN FILE!

One year after the election of Pope Leo XIV, what direction is the Roman Catholic Church taking?

In this special edition of Vatican Files, Dr. Leonardo De Chirico examines the emerging themes of Leo’s papacy: his global political role, his emphasis on peace and dialogue, his management of tensions within Roman Catholicism, and his posture toward Evangelicals, Islam, and Eastern Orthodoxy.

Is Pope Leo a quiet diplomat, a strategic bridge-builder, or something else entirely?

This analysis offers thoughtful evangelical reflection on the theology, priorities, and trajectory of the new pope and why it matters for the global church.

Read and share with someone seeking to better understand today’s Vatican.https://vaticanfiles.org/en/2026/05/vf255-a-year-with-pope-leo/

How do evangelicals faithfully live and witness in places where they are often misunderstood, marginalized, or viewed with suspicion?

In the final video of our 5-part Q&A partnership series with Missionary.com, Dr. Leonardo De Chirico reflects on navigating the stigmas evangelicals face in majority Roman Catholic contexts while remaining gracious, clear, and gospel-centered.

A thoughtful conclusion to a series on missions, church planting, and evangelical ministry in Italy and beyond.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIaBh5Zlsrw

How Do You Navigate the Stigmas Evangelicals Face in a Majority Roman Catholic Context? Leonardo De Chirico shows how patience and faithful presence help e...

How do former Catholics move from trusting in sacraments to resting in the assurance found in the gospel?

In this short Q&A with Leonardo De Chirico and Missionary.com, we discuss how missionaries and churches can help new believers from Roman Catholic backgrounds understand true gospel assurance in Christ alone.

Part of our 5-video Q&A partnership series on missions, Roman Catholicism, and gospel ministry.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIRrBeddg9I

How Should Missionaries Address Sacramental vs Gospel Assurance for New Believers From Catholicism? Believers from a Catholic background may use words like grace, faith, and gospel, but they often mean something different. Leonardo De Chirico explains, “Chr...

Is there really a difference between veneration and worship?

This article, written by fellow Lauren Montenegro, examines the Roman Catholic distinction between dulia (veneration) and latria (worship) and asks whether it’s biblically and historically defensible.

Read the full piece here: https://www.reformandainitiative.org/resources/a-critical-examination-of-the-roman-catholic-definitions-of-dulia-and-latria