May 2025

Robert Francis Prevost Martínez (Leo XIV), the new Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

THE REFORMATION IS NOT OVER!

On Thursday, May 8, our son Iain returned home for summer break, having just finished his freshman year at Grove City College. Naturally, the first thing he craved was real pizza. (Apologies, America—but authentic pizza lives in Italy.) Janie called in an order from our favorite local pizzeria, and I headed to my study to squeeze in a bit of work while we waited. About twenty minutes later, I heard Janie calling my name with an urgency that made me think the pizza had arrived—and perhaps she needed help carrying it in. I rushed downstairs, only to find her on the couch, eyes fixed on the TV and the Italian news. “They’ve chosen a new pope,” she said, turning to me, “and he’s American.”

My reaction was instantly conflicted. On one hand, I was gripped by the weight of the moment—fascinated and curious. Ever since the death of Pope Francis on April 21, Italy had been swept up in intense speculation over who would become the next pontiff. This was history unfolding in real time. On the other hand… I was hungry. I had been expecting pizza. Instead, it was a pope.

We watched the live broadcast as Robert Francis Prevost Martinez—now Pope Leo XIV—stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, greeted by a crowd of over 100,000 in St. Peter’s Square. His inaugural address, delivered in polished Italian, struck a familiar tone, emphasizing themes such as “peace,” “building bridges,” “dialogue,” and “love.” These were hallmark emphases of Pope Francis’ pontificate and resonated with the modern spirit of ecumenism. Yet amid the noble-sounding rhetoric, something vital was missing: there was no mention of human sin, no call to repentance, and no proclamation of the gospel of grace through faith in Christ alone.

The fact that Pope Leo is of the Augustinian order makes very little difference. His first public prayer as pope was directed to Mary (Ave Maria) and the saints—an act that, from a Protestant perspective, underscores Rome’s ongoing reliance on unscriptural mediators. Even more striking was his first official act: the pronouncement of a plenary indulgence, offering remission of temporal punishment for sin. For those of us shaped by the legacy of the Reformation, such a gesture is not merely ceremonial—it is a solemn reminder that the theological divide between Rome and the gospel recovered in the sixteenth century remains as relevant as ever.

In Italy, indulgences, relics, prayers to Mary and the saints are not just things of a medieval past—they remain deeply embedded in the fabric of everyday religious life. It reveals how little has truly changed since the time of the Reformation. Please remember us in prayer as we seek to preach the gospel, make disciples of Jesus Christ, and plant Reformed churches in the most Roman Catholic country in the world. And let us remember that only Man alone is the Head of the Church - our Lord Jesus Christ. The Reformation is not over!

Members of Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia from Milan and Chiesa Presbiteriana di Pistoia who attended the 2025 family retreat.

FIRST FAMILY CAMP

During May 1-3, we held our very first family retreat as a church. This was a joint project with the Presbyterian Church of Pistoia, a confessional congregation in Tuscany with whom we have developed a good relationship. The theme was: "Christ Walks among His Churches", taken from Revelation 2-3. By the grace of God, we enjoyed three BEAUTIFUL days of fellowship, preaching, worship, eating, and fun. We are grateful to God for his goodness to us and how new friendships were developed. We are already planning the retreat for next year and hope this will become an annual event for many years to come.

CONFERENCE IN RAVENNA

On Saturday, May 10, I had the opportunity to speak at a conference on eschatology, sponsored by a Reformed Baptist church - Chiesa Solo Cristo - in the historic city of Ravenna. It was an encouraging day of Christian fellowship and biblical teaching. My friend Rev. Nazareno Ulfo, pastor of Chiesa Sola Grazia in Caltanissetta, Sicily, and I gave a total of four sessions on different aspects of eschatology according to Scripture. In my first lesson, I spoke on the eschatology of the Old Testament, and in the second lesson I explained the meaning of the millennium in Revelation 20. About forty people from the surrounding area were in attendance. It is wonderful to see such interest in God’s Word.

CONFERENCE TGC ITALIA

On Saturday, May 17, I had the opportunity to speak at a conference in Naples, sponsored by the Gospel Coalition of Italia. The theme of this conference was “Growing Healthy Churches in Difficult Times” (Crescere chiese sani in tempi difficili). I was one of three main speakers, the others being Pastor Manuel Morelli of Ravenna and Pastor Michel Di Feliciantonio of Pisa. On the previous evening, I was able to participate in an edifying roundtable discussion with eight Protestant ministers of Italy. This was two truly blessed days of fellowship, interaction, and good teaching. Plus, Janie and Iain were able to come with me, enjoy the fellowship, and make new Christian friends in Italy. I am deeply grateful to God for all that he is doing through his Word here in this country. May we be faithful in the Great Commission to make disciples of Jesus Christ and plant biblical churches in these difficult times.

SAYING “ARRIVEDERCI” TO SOMEONE SPECIAL

One of the blessings of ministry in Milan is the number of international students who attend our church. We are thankful for the time we get to spend with these young people and the opportunity to be a blessing to them while they far from home. Usually at some point, however, we have to say goodbye, once they finish their studies or move on to other things. This month, we had to say goodbye to our dear Jueun Moon or “Junie”, as we all call her. Junie attended our church while completing graduate studies at Milan’s prestigious Brera art school and later working as a designer for the tech company LG. Engaged to be married to a young Christian man, she has returned to her native Korea. For the past two years, Junie’s sweet demeanor and fervant love for the Lord has been a blessing and example to us all. We pray that the Lord will guide Junie and future husband, strengthening them in their faith, hope, and love.

PRAYER REQUESTS

1. That God will bring more young people to our church, as we seek to reach the next generation.

2. That God will use us to reach the lost and disciples new converts.

3. That God will strengthen our elders and deacons in the church, and that he will raise up more leaders in our church.

4. That God will be glorified in our labors for his kingdom in Italy, keeping Janie and me encouraged, healthy, and focused.

5. That the Lord will bless the work of our podcast “Ad Fontes” and use it for his glory.

GRAZIE MILLE!

As always, Janie and I give thanks to God for all who support Mission Milan. Thank you for your prayers, letters of encouragement, and generous support. May the Lord continue to strengthen your faith in Christ, your hope in heaven, and your love for others.

Pastor Mike and Janie

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Making disciples of Christ in Milan is only possible with the faithful partnership of God’s people. If you want to get involved in the Great Commission in Italy, here are three ways you can help:

1. PRAY for the church in Milan (Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia) and for Pastor Mike and his family. Pray that the gospel will be proclaimed boldly, that people will come to know Christ, and that they will grow in their faith. Pray that more faithful churches will be planted in Italy.

2. SHARE the news about Mission Milan. Pass on this newsletter to others and tell them about the need in Italy. For more information, visit our website: missionmilan.org.

3. GIVE a donation of any amount. Your gift helps! You can give online at missionmilan.org. Or send a check to:


Escondido United Reformed Church
1864 N. Broadway
Escondido, CA 92026

Checks should be made out to Escondido United Reformed Church. Please indicate that the support is for Rev. Michael Brown as a missionary to Italy.