In this episode, we interview Dr. Leonardo De Chirico about Pope Francis and the legacy of his pontificate. From Jorge Bergoglio’s earlier days as a Jesuit priest, to his official theology as the head of the Roman Catholic Church - what is Francis’s theology, and what is his relation to Roman Catholicism, more generally? Leo takes us through these questions and more, with a particular focus on the accurate understanding of the system of Roman Catholic theology and practice. Far from being someone new and novel – Pope Francis is fully Roman Catholic, in continuity with Roman Catholic “tradition”, and who has spoken clearly in his media appearances, reflecting and directing the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church. Join us as Dr. De Chirico helps us understand the legacy of Pope Francis, and why it matters going forward.

Reformanda Initiative

Vatican Files

Books by Dr. De Chirico:

- Engaging Thomas Aquinas: An Evangelical Approach (also here)

- A Christian’s Pocket Guide to the Papacy

- A Christian’s Pocket Guide to Mary: Mother of God?

- Same Words, Different Worlds: Do Roman Catholics and Evangelicals Believe the Same Gospel?

- Evangelical Theological Perspectives on post-Vatican II Roman Catholicism

Highlights from Pope Francis’ original and official sources:

- Lumen Fidei

- Evangelii Gaudium

- Laudato Si

- Querida Amazonia

- Fratelli Tutti

- Fiducia Supplicans

- Dilexit Nos

- Address of His Holiness to Interreligious Meeting with Young People

- Message of the Holy Father Francis To Participants In the International Meeting for Peace

Also see:

- “Lumen Gentium” (“Ecumenical Council”: Vatican II)

- “Evangelii Praecones” (Pope Pius XII)

- Regensburg Lecture (Pope Benedict XVI)

Highlights from Vatican Files:

- “Lumen Fidei. The First Encyclical by Pope Francis”

- “The Joy of the Gospel. A Window into Francis’ Vision”

- “A ‘Green’ Pope?”

- “Pope Francis Fears for the Planet, but Where is the Gospel?”

- “Querida Amazonia: A Reinforcement of Pope Francis’ Missiology”

- “‘All Brothers’: The Unbearable Cost of Roman Catholic Universalism”

- “‘God has many ways to save.’: Cardinal Cantalamessa and Roman Catholic Universalism”

- “The icing on the cake of Pope Francis. The Blessing of Same-Sex Unions”

- “More than the heart of Jesus, the heart of Roman Catholicism. On the latest encyclical of Pope Francis”

Other resources:

- Roman Catholic Theology and Practice: An Evangelical Assessment by Gregg Allison

- Revolution in Rome; The Courage to Be Protestant by David Wells

- Karl Rahner by Camden Bucey

—In Defense of the Eschaton by William Dennison

• Also hear Dr. Dennison’s relevant sermon here

-The Great Reformer: Francis and the Making of a Radical Pope by Austen Ivereigh

-What Happened at Vatican II by John W. O'Malley

Clip 1: (Conservative?) Bishop Robert Barron on The Ben Shapiro Show, Ep. 31

Clip 2/3: Pope Francis: The 60 Minutes Interview

Clip 4: Pope: All religions are paths to God

Clip 5: Pope Francis consoles a boy who asked if his father is in Heaven

Clip 6: Cardinal Dolan on significance of Pope Francis dying after Easter