Aeterna Dei sapientia
The encyclical Aeterna Dei sapientia was published on November 11, 1961 by Pope John XXIII. released. It bears the subtitle: “On the occasion of the 1500th anniversary of the death of Pope Leo I: The Holy See of Peter as the center of Christian unity”.
In the greeting of this encyclical, John XXIII praises and praises. the Holy Leo I († 10 November 461), which is also called "the Great" as a worthy and outstanding man of the Catholic Church .
In the first chapter the Pope again introduces Pope Leo I as a shepherd and describes his works as a doctor of the universal Church . He describes this saint as a faithful servant in the Apostolic See and calls him a wise Shepherd of the Church, from whose great knowledge many can learn.
In the second chapter, John XXIII. a connection from Leo I to the coming Second Vatican Council and declares that in the spirit and spirit of the great Pope, the unity of the church must be preserved and restored. The Bishop of Rome represents the visible unity and appeals to the succession of St. Peter , represents John XXIII. clearly out. He describes Rome as the spiritual center for Christian unity and calls his confreres and all believers to return and unity in faith .
In the final exhortation he encourages the unity of the church in truth and justice. But he also warns against excessive actionism; rather, the work of unity must be approached with patience and love.