Tell Your Catholic Friend: How to Have Gospel Conversations with Love

by Leonardo De Chirico

We all have Catholic friends. The question Are we sharing the gospel with them? If we are, how are we doing it?

The Roman Catholic Church is the largest religious institution in the world with approx. 1.3 billion Catholics world-wide. Although Roman Catholicism seems to be a single unified belief system, not all Catholics believe the same things or act in the same way. Regardless, all Roman Catholics feel connected to their church's traditions and rituals. Unfortunately, the church of Rome does not hold the Bible as the highest authority or teach that salvation comes by faith alone. Many Catholics might be baptized but may not be true believers according to the Bible. Therefore, when we talk about Jesus and the gospel with our Catholic friends, it's crucial to understand their beliefs and the key issues involved.

The audiobook will give answers to the following

Is Roman Catholicism yet another denomination? Are Catholics born again? What gospel narratives and tips can be used to share the gospel with Catholics? What are the FAQs in our gospel conversations? Tell Your Catholic Friends will help you understand both Roman Catholicism and your Roman Catholic friends better, encouraging you to share the gospel with them, and empowering you to do so in a faithful, loving and appealing way.

Genres: Theology

144 pages, Paperback

Published May 20, 2025

About the author

Leonardo De Chirico is the pastor of Breccia di Roma, a church that he helped plant in Rome in 2009. He served as Vice Chairman of the Italian Evangelical Alliance from 2003-2021 and now serves as chairman for the theological commission of the IEA.

Previously, Leonardo planted and pastored an evangelical church in Ferrara, Italy, from 1997 to 2009. He earned degrees in History (University of Bologna), Theology (ETCW, Bridgend, Wales) and Bioethics (University of Padova).

His PhD is from King's College (London); it was published as Evangelical Theological Perspectives on Post-Vatican II Roman Catholicism.

In 2015, he published A Christian Pocket Guide to Papacy and A Christian Pocket Guide to Mary: Mother of God? through Christian Focus.

He is a lecturer of Historical Theology at Istituto di Formazione Evangelica e Documentazione in Padova, Italy.

Additionally, Leonardo is the Director of the Reformanda Initiative, which aims to equip evangelical leaders to better understand and engage with Roman Catholicism, and the leader of the Rome Scholars & Leaders Network (RSLN).

Reviews

[Josh Kannard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of being under Leo's pastorship at Breccia di Roma for 4 years. This is an excellent resource for anyone seeking to have Gospel conversations with their Catholic friends. Leo does an excellent job at prioritizing the necessity and exclusivity of the Gospel. His pastoral heart is on full display here for those who are being led astray in Christ's name by the Roman Catholic magisterium. More than any doctrinal disagreement, we must be concerned with the true biblical offer of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone- and that means extending that same grace in our conversations with Catholics, engaging them with charity, and not as theological enemies to be subdued.

[Casey Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful introduction outlining the key differences between Evangelicalism and Roman Catholicism.

[Will Cunningham-Batt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leonardo De Chirico’s book on helping evangelicals share the good news with their Roman Catholic friends is excellent. Firstly, as with his other writings, he is refreshingly clear on what Roman Catholicism actually is. His definition is worth the price of the book. Secondly, his explanation of what a Christian is and what makes for genuine conversion is insightful. Lastly, his answers to common questions such as whether we should partner Roman Catholics will be useful to pastors and leaders seeking discernment and wishing to equip their congregations. If I had to quibble, it would be the various Latin and Greek terms (often undefined) that may cause a new reader to get slightly lost.

[Adam Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

With this book, Leonard De Chirico wants you to have better gospel conversations with Roman Catholic friends. Although he acknowledges a range of people will identify as Catholic, his focus is on engaging with those who embrace official Catholic dogma, at least to some extent. He helpfully outlines key doctrinal differences between evangelicalism and Rome, and offers some guidance for conversations based on Keller's atonement grammars and Dan Strange's magnetic points.