List of papal encyclicals

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This list contains the papal encyclicals since 1740 as well as an overview of special forms of encyclicals.

Papal encyclicals

Benedict XIV.

# Surname date content
1 Ubi primum December 3, 1740 About the duties and administration of the bishops
2 Quanta cura June 30, 1741 About the fees for a funeral mass
3 Nimiam licentiam May 18, 1743 On the validity of marriages (to the Polish bishops)
4th Demandatam December 24, 1743 About the Melkite Greek Catholic Church
5 Vix pervenite November 1, 1745 About collecting interest
6th Magnae nobis June 29, 1748 About obstacles to marriage and dispensations (to the Polish bishops)
7th Peregrinantes May 5, 1749 Announcement of the Holy Year 1750
8th Cum religiosi aeque June 26, 1754 About catechesis (to the Italian bishops)
9 Quod provinciale August 1, 1754 On the use of Mohammedan names for Christians (to the clergy of the ecclesiastical province of Albania)
10 Allatae sunt July 26, 1755 About observance of the oriental rite (to the missionaries in the Orient)
11 Ex quo March 1, 1756 About the Euchologion (to the religious and secular priests of the Greek rite)
12 Ex omnibus christiani October 16, 1756 About the bull Unigenitus Dei filius of 1713 (to the French bishops)

Clement XIII.

# Surname date content
1 A quo the September 12, 1758 About the unity of Christians
2 Cum primum September 7, 1759 Exhortation of the clergy to observe canonical rights and duties, avoid corruption
3 Appetite sacro December 20, 1759 About the spiritual benefits of the holy fast
4th In dominico agro June 14, 1761 About the instruction in the faith
5 Christianae reipublicae November 25, 1766 About the dangers of anti-Christian writings

Clement XIV.

# Surname date content
1 Decet quam maxime September 21, 1769 On the abuse of taxes and duties (to the Bishops of Sardinia )
2 Cum summi apostolatus December 12, 1769 On the need for a universal anniversary ( jubilee year )
3 Inscrutabili divinae sapientiae December 12, 1769 Announcement of a holy year
4th Salutis nostrae April 30, 1774 Proclamation of the jubilee year 1775

Pius VII

# Surname date content
1 Diu satis May 15, 1800 On returning to the principles of the gospel
2 Ex quo ecclesiam May 24, 1800 The holy year 1800 is not celebrated
3 Il trionfo May 18, 1814 The triumph of Divine Mercy, on the return of the Popes to Rome
4th Vineam quam plantavit June 12, 1817 On the restoration of the dioceses in France

Leo XII.

# Surname date content
1 Ubi primum May 5, 1824 To take over the pontificate; about the episcopal duties
2 Quod hoc ineunte May 24, 1824 Announcement of the Holy Year 1825
3 Ad plurimas January 25, 1825 About the fire of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls
4th Charitate of Christ December 25, 1825 About the extension of the Holy Year announced in Quod hoc in the eenth
5 Quanta laetitia February 13, 1827 On the Reorganization of the Ecclesiastical Provinces of Scotland

Pius VIII

# Surname date content
1 Traditi humilitati nostrae May 24, 1829 About the direction of his pontificate and the care of the flock

Gregory XVI.

# Surname date content
1 Quel Dio April 5, 1831 About the end of the unrest in the Papal States
2 Le armi valorose July 12, 1831 Thanks to the Austrian emperor
3 Summo iugiter studio May 27, 1832 About mixed marriages (Bavaria)
4th Cum primum June 9, 1832 About civil obedience
5 Mirari vos August 15, 1832 About liberal Catholicism and indifferentism; about church reforms and freedom of conscience
6th Quo graviora October 4, 1833 About the conditions in the church province of Rhineland
7th Singular nos June 25, 1834 About the fallacies of liberalism
8th Commissum divinitus May 17, 1835 About church and state in Switzerland
9 Sample nostis September 18, 1840 About spreading the faith
10 Augustissimam beatissimi December 21, 1840 About the reconstruction of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls
11 Quas vestro April 30, 1841 About mixed marriages (Hungary)
12 Inter ea April 1, 1842 About the development in some Swiss cantons
13 Inter praecipuas May 8, 1844 About the Bible Societies

Pius IX

# Surname date content
1 Qui pluribus November 9, 1846 Inaugural Encyclics
2 Praedecessores nostros March 25, 1847 About the aid to Ireland
3 Ubi primum June 17, 1847 About the discipline of the religious
4th In suprema Petri sede January 6, 1848 About the unity of the Church and Orthodoxy
5 Ubi primum February 2, 1849 In preparation for the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception
6th Nostis et nobiscum December 8, 1849 About the Church in the Papal State (Italy)
7th Exultavit cor nostrum November 21, 1851 About the upcoming holy year
8th Ex aliis nostris November 21, 1851 Holy Year norms
9 Nemo certe ignorat March 25, 1852 On the discipline of the clergy in Ireland
10 Sample noscitis venerabiles May 17, 1852 On the discipline of the clergy in Spain
11 Inter multiplices March 21, 1853 About the liturgy and the missal and the unity of the Spirit in France
12 Inter graves December 1, 1854 Announcement of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception
13 Optime noscitis March 20, 1854 Via the Catholic University of Ireland
14th Apostolicae nostrae caritatis August 1, 1854 Call to prayer for peace
15th Neminem vestrum February 2, 1854 About the persecution of the Armenians
16 Optime noscitis November 5, 1855 About the Austrian Bishops' Assembly
17th Singular quidem March 17, 1856 About the Church in Austria
18th Cum nuper January 20, 1858 Concern for the clergy
19th Amantissimi redemptoris May 3, 1858 About the priests and the care of souls
20th Cum sancta mater ecclesia April 27, 1859 Call to public prayer to the Mother of God, Mother of the Church
21st Qui nuper June 18, 1859 About the position of the Papal States
22nd Nullis certe verbis January 19, 1860 about the need for civic sovereignty
23 Amantissimus April 8, 1862 About Catholicism in the Orient
24 Quanto conficiamur August 10, 1863 About indifferentism and the publication of false teachings
25th Incredibili 17th September 1863 About the persecution in New Granada
26th Ubi urbaniano July 30, 1864 About the persecution in Poland
27 Maximae quidem August 18, 1864 About the church in Bavaria
28 Quanta cura December 8, 1864 On the freedom of the church from the state, against time errors (attached to the Syllabus errorum )
29 Meridionali Americae September 30, 1865 About the Seminary for Native Clerics
30th Levate October 27, 1867 About the suffering of the Church in Italy, Poland and Russia
31 Respicientes November 1, 1870 Protest about the treatment of the Vatican State
32 Ubi nos May 15, 1871 About the temporal goods of the church
33 Beneficia Dei June 4, 1871 On the 25th anniversary of the pontificate
34 Saepe venerabiles fratres August 5, 1871 Thanksgiving for the 25th year of the pontificate
35 Quae in patriarchatu November 16, 1872 About the Chaldean Church
36 Quartus supra vigesimum January 6, 1873 About the Armenian Church
37 Etsi multa luctuosa November 21, 1873 About the Church in Italy, Germany and Switzerland
38 Vix dum a nobis March 7, 1874 About the Church and Liberal Legislation in Austria
39 Omnem sollicitudinem May 13, 1874 About the Greco-Ruthenian rite
40 Gravibus ecclesiae December 24, 1874 Announcement of a holy year
41 Quod numquam February 5, 1875 Against the Kulturkampf in Prussia
42 Graves ac diuturnae March 23, 1875 About the Church in Switzerland
43 Exortae in ista April 20, 1876 About Freemasonry in Brazil

Leo XIII.

# Surname date content
1 Inscrutabili Dei consilio April 21, 1878 Inaugural Encyclicals on the Evils in Society
2 Quod apostolici muneris December 28, 1878 About modern errors, the struggle of socialism against religion and social order
3 Aeterni patris 4th August 1879 On the philosophy and authority of St. Thomas Aquinas
4th Arcanum divinae sapientia February 10, 1880 About Christian marriage
5 Grande munus September 30, 1880 About the hll. Cyril and Methodius
6th Sancta Dei civitas December 3, 1880 First missionary encyclical about the missionary societies
7th Diuturnum illud June 29, 1881 About state and divine authority
8th Licet multa August 3, 1881 About the Catholics in Belgium
9 Etsi nos February 15, 1882 About the conditions in Italy
10 Auspicato concessum September 17, 1882 About St. Francis of Assisi
11 Cum multa December 8, 1882 About the conditions in Spain
12 Supremi apostolatus officio September 1, 1883 About the meaning of the rosary
13 Nobilissima Gallorum gens February 8, 1884 About the reconciliation of church and state in France
14th Humanum genus April 20, 1884 Against secret societies and freemasonry
15th Superiore anno August 30, 1884 About praying the rosary
16 Immortal Dei November 1, 1885 About the Christian constitution
17th Spectata fides November 27, 1885 About Christian education
18th Quod auctoritate December 22, 1885 The proclamation of an extraordinary holy year
19th Iampridem January 6, 1886 About Catholicism in Germany
20th Quod multum August 22, 1886 About the freedom of the church
21st Pergrata nobis September 14, 1886 About the Church in Portugal
22nd Vi è ben noto September 20, 1887 About the rosary and public life
23 Officio sanctissimo December 22, 1887 About the church in Bavaria
24 Quod anniversarius April 1, 1888 For the 50th anniversary of the priesthood
25th In plurimis May 5, 1888 For the abolition of slavery in Brazil
26th Libertas June 20, 1888 About freedom of religion and human dignity
27 Saepe nos June 24, 1888 About the boycotts in Ireland
28 Paterna caritas July 25, 1888 About the reunification of the Armenian and Roman Catholic Churches
29 Quam aerumnosa December 10, 1888 About the Italian immigrants in America
30th Etsi cunctas December 21, 1888 About the Church in Ireland
31 Exeunte iam anno December 25, 1888 About the right order of the Christian life
32 Magni nobis gaudi March 7, 1889 About the Catholic University of America
33 Quamquam pluries August 15, 1889 About St. Joseph
34 Sapientiae christianae January 10, 1890 About the civil duties of Christians
35 Dall'alto dell'Apostolico Seggio October 15, 1890 About Freemasonry in Italy
36 Catholicae ecclesiae November 20, 1890 About slavery in the mission areas
37 In ipso supremi March 3, 1891 About the Austrian bishops
38 Rerum Novarum May 15, 1891 On the workers question
39 Pastoralis July 25, 1891 About the religious communities in Portugal
40 Pastoralis officii September 12, 1891 About the moral problems of dueling
41 Octobri mense September 22, 1891 About the rosary
42 Au milieu des sollicitudes February 16, 1892 About church and state in France
43 Quarto abeunte saeculo July 16, 1892 For the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America
44 Magnae Dei Matris September 8, 1892 About the rosary and the Christian life
45 Custodi di quella fede December 8, 1892 To the Italian people about Freemasonry in Italy
46 Inimica vis December 8, 1892 To the Italian bishops on Freemasonry
47 Ad extremas June 24, 1893 About seminars for local priests in the mission countries
48 Constanti Hungarorum September 2, 1893 About the Church in Hungary
49 Laetitiae sanctae September 8, 1893 About praying the rosary
50 Non mediocri October 25, 1893 About the Spanish College in Rome
51 Providentissimus Deus November 18, 1893 About the scriptures
52 Caritatis March 19, 1894 About the Church in Poland
53 Inter graves May 1, 1894 About the Church in Peru
54 Litteras a vobis July 2, 1894 About the clergy in Brazil
55 Iucunda semper expectatione September 8, 1894 About the rosary
56 Christi noun December 24, 1894 About the proclamation of the Faith and the Eastern Churches
57 Longinqua January 6, 1895 About the Catholics in the United States
58 Permoti nos July 10, 1895 About the social conditions in Belgium
59 Adiutricem September 5, 1895 About the rosary
60 Insignia May 1, 1896 About Hungary's millennium
61 Satis cognitum June 29, 1896 About the unity of the church
62 Apostolicae curae September 13, 1896 Apostolic Letter on Anglican Episcopal and Priestly Orders
63 Fidentem piumque animum September 20, 1896 About the rosary as the prayer to the mediator of graces
64 Divinum illud munus May 9, 1897 About the Holy Spirit
65 Militantis ecclesiae August 1, 1897 About St. Peter Canisius
66 Augustissimae Virginis Mariae September 12, 1897 About the Rosary Brotherhood
67 Affari vos December 8, 1897 About the Manitoba school question
68 Caritatis study July 25, 1898 About the Church in Scotland
69 Spesse volte August 5, 1898 Against the suppression of Catholic institutions
70 Quam religiosa August 16, 1898 About civil marriage law
71 Diuturni temporis September 5, 1898 About the rosary
72 Quum diuturnum December 25, 1898 Invitation to the General Assembly of Latin American Bishops
73 Annum sacrum May 25, 1899 About the worship of Christ the King and the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the occasion of the Holy Year 1900
74 Depuis le jour September 8, 1899 On the formation of the clergy in France
75 Paternae September 18, 1899 About the formation of the clergy in Brazil
76 Omnibus compertum July 21, 1900 About the unity among the Melkites
77 Tametsi futura prospicientibus November 1, 1900 About Christ the Redeemer
78 Graves de communi re January 18, 1901 About Christian democracy in terms of social welfare
79 Gravissimas May 16, 1901 About the religious mission in Portugal
80 Reputantibus August 20, 1901 About the language question in Bohemia
81 Urbanitatis veteris November 20, 1901 About the establishment of a seminary in Athens
82 In amplissimo April 15, 1902 About the Church in the United States
83 Quod votis April 30, 1902 About the establishment of Catholic universities in various European countries
84 Mirae caritatis May 28, 1902 About the Eucharist
85 Quae ad nos November 22, 1902 About the Church in Bohemia and Moravia
86 Fin dal principio December 8, 1902 About the formation of the clergy
87 Dum multa December 24, 1902 About the marriage legislation in Ecuador

Pius X.

# Surname date content
1 E supremi apostolatus 4th October 1903 Inaugural Encyclicals on the Duties of the Pope
2 Ad diem illum laetissimum February 2, 1904 Encyclical on Marian Adoration
3 Iucunda sane March 12, 1904 About Pope Gregory the Great
4th Acerbo nimis April 15, 1905 About catechesis
5 Il fermo proposito June 11, 1905 About the Catholic Action in Italy
6th Vehement nos February 11, 1906 Against laicism in France
7th Tribe circiter April 5, 1906 About the Mariavites
8th Pieni l'animo July 28, 1906 On the spirit of obedience among the clergy in Italy
9 Gravissimo officii munere August 10, 1906 About the French worship clubs
10 Une fois encore January 6, 1907 About the separation of church and state
11 Pascendi Dominici gregis September 8, 1907 About the errors of modernism
12 Communium rerum April 21, 1909 About Saint Anselm of Canterbury
13 Editae saepe May 26, 1910 About St. Charles Borromeo
14th Iamdudum in Lusitania May 24, 1911 About the separation of church and state in Portugal
15th Lacrimabili statu June 7, 1912 About the Indians in South America
16 Singulari quadam September 24, 1912 About the trade union dispute in Germany

Benedict XV

Even the first apostolic letter of Pope Ubi primum of September 8, 1914 was a call for peace in the face of war. During this time he exercised restraint regarding further encyclicals. The most famous text of this Pope was the Apostolic Letter to the heads of the warring states Dès le début of August 1, 1917, his most courageous peace initiative. The apostolic letter Maximum illud on Catholic missions (1919) is also of lasting importance .

# Surname date content
1 Ad beatissimi apostolorum principis November 1, 1914 Inaugural encyclical against the world war and for the unity of the church
2 Humani generis redemptionem June 15, 1917 About preaching the word of God
3 Quod iam diu December 1, 1918 About the upcoming peace conference
4th In hac tanta May 14, 1919 About Saint Boniface and the 1200th anniversary of Germany's evangelization
5 Paterno iam diu November 24, 1919 About the plight of the children of Central Europe
6th Pacem, Dei munus pulcherrimum May 23, 1920 About peace and Christian reconciliation
7th Spiritus paraclitus September 15, 1920 About the scriptures
8th Principi Apostolorum Petro October 5, 1920 About Saint Ephrem the Syrian
9 Annus iam plenus December 1, 1920 About the children in Central Europe
10 Sacra propediem January 6, 1921 About the Third Order of St. Francis
11 In praeclara summorum April 30, 1921 About Dante Alighieri
12 Fausto appetente die June 29, 1921 About St. Dominic

Pius XI.

Pius XI. In 1938 commissioned the Jesuit John La Farge , together with Gustav Gundlach , to write another encyclical entitled Humani generis unitas "on the unity of the human race and against racism". Some of their basic ideas found their way into the inaugural encyclical of the successor, essential statements of the draft only later became common property of church teaching (cf. Nostra aetate ).

# Surname date content
1 Ubi arcano Dei consilio December 23, 1922 Inaugural encyclical on the peace of Christ in the kingdom of Christ
2 Rerum omnium perturbationem January 26, 1923 About St. Francis de Sales
3 Studiorum ducem June 29, 1923 About St. Thomas Aquinas
4th Ecclesiam Dei admirabili November 12, 1923 About St. Josaphat
5 Maximam gravissimamque January 18, 1924 On the problems of diocesan associations in France
6th Quas primas December 11, 1925 About the feast of Christ the King
7th Rerum ecclesiae February 28, 1926 Missionary Encyclical on the Duty and Manner of Promoting Holy Mission
8th Rite expiatis April 30, 1926 About St. Francis of Assisi
9 Iniquis afflictisque November 18, 1926 On the Persecution of the Church in Mexico
10 Mortalium animos January 6, 1928 About promoting true unity of religion
11 Miserentissimus Redemptor May 8, 1928 About making amends to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
12 Rerum orientalium September 8, 1928 On promoting knowledge of the Eastern Churches
13 Mens nostra December 20, 1929 On promoting spiritual retreats
14th Quinquagesimo ante anno December 23, 1929 For the fiftieth anniversary of the priesthood
15th Divini illius Magistri December 31, 1929 About the Christian education of the youth (educational encyclical)
16 Ad salutem humani April 20, 1930 On the occasion of the 1500th anniversary of the death of St. Augustine
17th Casti connubii December 31, 1930 About Christian marriage
18th Quadragesimo anno May 15, 1931 Social encyclicals
19th Not abbiamo bisogno June 29, 1931 Against Italian fascism and about social doctrine (see also social encyclicals )
20th Nova imparts October 2, 1931 About the economic crisis ( world economic crisis )
21st Lux veritatis December 25, 1931 About the Council of Ephesus and the proclamation of the divine motherhood of Saint Mary
22nd Caritate Christi compulsi May 3, 1932 About devotion to the Sacred Heart in times of need
23 Acerba animi September 29, 1932 On the Persecution of the Church in Mexico
24 Dilectissima nobis June 3, 1933 About the suppression of the Church in Spain
25th Ad catholici sacerdotii December 20, 1935 About the priesthood of the Catholic Church
26th Vigilanti cura June 29, 1936 About the film as a means of religious education
27 With searing concern March 14, 1937 Against National Socialism and about social obligations (see also social encyclicals )
28 Divini redemptoris March 19, 1937 Against atheistic communism and social responsibility (see also social encyclicals )
29 Nos es muy conocida March 28, 1937 About the religious situation in Mexico
30th Ingravescentibus malis September 29, 1937 On the prayer of the rosary as a refuge for the Church

Pius XII.

# Surname date content
1 Summi pontificatus October 20, 1939 Inaugural encyclicals on the unity of human society and the imminent danger of war
2 Sertum laetitiae November 1, 1939 About the 150th Anniversary of the establishment of the ecclesiastical hierarchy in the United States
3 Saeculo exeunte octavo June 13, 1940 On the 800th anniversary of Portuguese independence and mission (mission encyclical)
4th Mystici Corporis June 29, 1943 About the church
5 Divino afflante spiritu September 30, 1943 About the scriptures
6th Orientalis Ecclesiae April 9, 1944 About Saint Cyril of Alexandria
7th Communium interpretes dolorum April 15, 1945 Call for peace prayer during the month of May
8th Orientales omnes ecclesias December 23, 1945 About the 350th anniversary of the union of the Ruthenian Church with the Apostolic See
9 Quemadmodum January 6, 1946 About helping children in need
10 Deiparae Virginis Mariae May 1, 1946 Marian encyclical on the possibility of a dogma of the Assumption of Mary into heaven
11 Fulgens radiatur March 21, 1947 On the 1400th anniversary of the death of St. Benedict of Nursia
12 Mediator Dei November 20, 1947 About the liturgy
13 Optatissima pax December 18, 1947 Call for public prayers for reconciliation between the peoples
14th Auspicia quaedam May 1, 1948 Call to public prayer for world peace and the solution of the Palestinian problem
15th In multiplicibus curis October 24, 1948 To prayer for peace in Palestine
16 Redemptoris nostri cruciatus April 15, 1949 About the holy places in Palestine
17th Anni sacri March 12, 1950 Program to Combat Global Atheism
18th Summi maeroris July 19, 1950 For prayer for peace and unity between peoples
19th Humani generis August 12, 1950 About recent theological tendencies
20th Mirabile illud December 6, 1950 For public prayers for world peace
21st Evangelii praecones June 2, 1951 About promoting Catholic missions
22nd Sempiternus rex Christ September 8, 1951 For the 1500th anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Kalkedon
23 Ingruentium malorum September 15, 1951 About praying the rosary , especially in October
24 Orientales ecclesias December 15, 1952 On the persecution of the oriental churches
25th Doctor mellifluus May 24, 1953 On the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Bernard of Clairvaux
26th Fulgens corona September 8, 1953 Marian encyclical for the Marian year
27 Sacra virginitas March 25, 1954 About consecrated virginity
28 Ecclesiae fastos 5th June 1954 On the 1200th anniversary of the death of St. Boniface
29 Ad Sinarum gentem October 7, 1954 About the Church in China
30th Ad caeli reginam October 11, 1954 Marian encyclical on Our Lady Queen
31 Musicae sacrae disciplina December 25, 1955 About church music
32 Haurietis aquas May 15, 1956 About devotion to the Sacred Heart
33 Luctuosissimi eventus October 28, 1956 For public prayers for the Hungarian people
34 Laetamur admodum November 1, 1956 Call to prayer for peace in Poland, Hungary and the Middle East
35 Datis nuperrime 5th November 1956 With a condemnation of the fighting in Hungary
36 Fidei donum April 21, 1957 About the state of the Catholic missions, especially in Africa
37 Invicti athletae Christi May 16, 1957 About the 300th anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Andrew Bobola
38 Le pèlerinage de Lourdes 2nd July 1957 On the centenary of the apparition of Our Lady in Lourdes
39 Miranda prorsus September 8, 1957 Second media encyclical on film, radio and television
40 Ad Apostolorum principis June 29, 1958 About communism and the church in China
41 Meminisse iuvat July 14, 1958 For prayer for the persecuted church

John XXIII

# Surname date content
1 Ad Petri cathedram June 29, 1959 Inaugural encyclicals on the forthcoming council
2 Sacerdotii nostri primordia August 1, 1959 About the pastor of Ars
3 Grata recordatio September 26, 1959 About the rosary
4th Princeps pastorum November 28, 1959 About the missions , the local clergy, and lay participation
5 Mater et magistra May 15, 1961 Social encyclicals
6th Aeterna Dei sapientia November 11, 1961 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
7th Paenitentiam agere July 1, 1962 About the requirement of inward and outward repentance
8th Pacem in terris April 11, 1963 Peace and Social Encyclicals

Paul VI

The five larger encyclicals are all thematically related to the Second Vatican Council. The encyclicals on celibacy and birth regulation were written on subjects that the Pope had withdrawn from the council.

# Surname date content
1 Ecclesiam suam August 6, 1964 Inaugural encyclicals on the ways of the church , its identity and dialogue
2 Mense Maio April 29, 1965 Marian encyclical on the veneration of Mary in May
3 Mystery fidei September 3, 1965 About the Eucharist
4th Christi matri rosarii September 15, 1966 Marian Encyclical on Prayer of the Rosary in October as a Means of Peace
5 Populorum progressio March 26, 1967 On the Progress of Peoples, an important social encyclical
6th Sacerdotalis caelibatus June 24, 1967 About the celibate way of life of the priest in following Jesus Christ
7th Humanae vitae July 25, 1968 About the right order of transmission of human life

Among the ten larger Apostolic Letters (along with about twenty others) of Paul VI. are to be mentioned in particular:

Surname date description
Octogesima adveniens 1971 To social teaching
Marialis cultus 1974 Third and most detailed letter on the veneration of Mary
Gaudete in dominoes 1975 About Christian joy
Evangelii nuntiandi 1975 About evangelization in today's world

John Paul I.

John Paul I did not write an encyclical in his 33-day pontificate in 1978. His four catecheses for the general audience have, however, been published in book form.

John Paul II

# Surname date content
1 Redemptor hominis March 4th 1979 Inaugural Encyclicals on the Redemption of Man
2 Dives in misericordia November 30, 1980 About the mercy of God
3 Laborem exercens September 14, 1981 About work (first social encyclical )
4th Slavorum Apostoli June 2nd 1985 About the hll. Cyril and Methodius
5 Dominum et Vivificantem May 18, 1986 About the Holy Spirit
6th Redemptoris Mater March 25, 1987 About the devotion to Mary
7th Sollicitudo rei socialis December 30, 1987 Second social encyclical
8th Redemptoris missio 7th December 1990 About the mission
9 Centesimus annus May 1, 1991 Third social encyclical
10 Veritatis splendor August 6, 1993 About truth as the foundation of the moral order; comprehensive moral theological encyclical
11 Gospel vitae March 25, 1995 About the dignity of human life
12 Ut unum sint May 25, 1995 About ecumenism
13 Fides et ratio September 14, 1998 About faith and reason
14th Ecclesia de Eucharistia April 17, 2003 About the Eucharist

Benedict XVI.

# Surname date content
1 Deus caritas est December 25, 2005 Inaugural encyclical about Christian love and Church Caritas
2 Spe salvi November 30, 2007 About Christian hope
3 Caritas in veritate July 7, 2009 Social encyclical about the holistic human development in love and truth

Francis

# Surname date content
1 Lumen fidei June 29, 2013 Faith must be reflected in human action
2 Laudato si ' June 18, 2015 Man's obligation to protect the environment

Inauguration cycles

With the first encyclical Qui pluribus (1846) by Blessed Pope Pius IX. began a new form of encyclicals that made statements about the leadership of the pontificate, from then on the first encyclical of a Pope was also called inaugural encyclical. Then others followed:

Pope Surname date theme
Pope Leo XIII. Inscrutabili Dei consilio April 21, 1878 About the evils in society
Pope Pius X. E supremi apostolatus 4th October 1903 On the importance of spiritual renewal in Christ
Pope Benedict XV Ad beatissimi apostolorum principis November 1, 1914 Against the world war and for the unity of the Church
Pope Pius XI Ubi arcano Dei December 23, 1922 About the peace of Christ in the kingdom of Christ
Pope Pius XII Summi pontificatus October 20, 1939 Against the war; peace as a work of justice and about the unity of human society
Pope John XXIII Ad Petri cathedram January 25, 1959 John XXIII addressed his first encyclical to Christians in communion with the Apostolic See. Truth, unity and peace were the subjects he dealt with in view of the council he called.
Pope Paul VI Ecclesiam suam August 6, 1964 In his inaugural encyclical, Pope Paul VI. the church as called and enabled to dialogue with the modern world.
Pope John Paul II Redemptor hominis March 4th 1979 In the encyclical, John Paul II dealt, among other things, with the forms of political rule that had developed in both the East and the West. The encyclical deals with the subject of human dignity and human rights.
Pope Benedict XVI Deus caritas est December 25, 2005 In his first encyclical, Benedict XVI deals with with love as the center of the Christian faith, which has its origin in God.

Marian encyclicals

Marian encyclicals are those that are dedicated to the veneration of Mary as a focus . The renewal of the veneration of Mary was by Pope Pius IX. initiated who with the papal bull Ineffabilis Deus proclaimed the dogma about the Conceptio Immaculata , i.e. the Immaculate Conception on December 8, 1854. Pope Pius XII proclaimed the dogma of the Assumption of Mary in heaven on November 1, 1950. Programmatic encyclicals on Marian themes come from the popes of the 20th century, who turned out to be ardent devotees of Mary:

Pope Surname year
Pope Pius X. Ad diem illum laetissimum 1904
Pope Pius XII Deiparae Virginis Mariae 1946
Pope Pius XII Fulgens corona 1953
Pope Pius XII Ad caeli reginam 1954
Pope Paul VI Mense Maio 1965
Pope Paul VI Christi matri rosarii 1966
Pope John Paul II Redemptoris mater 1987

Apostolic Letter of Paul VI : Signum magnum (1967), Recurrens mensis october (1969) and Marialis cultus (1974)

Mission Encyclics

In ecclesiastical parlance, the word mission is used to denote both the mission of peoples and individuals. The Popes published many encyclicals, apostolic letters and decrees on missionary mandates .

Encyclicals

  • In the encyclical Probe nostis of September 18, 1840, Pope Gregory XVI wrote. about spreading the faith
  • The mission encyclical Sancta Dei civitas (“God's Holy City”) of Pope Leo XIII. was published on December 3, 1880 and is subtitled: "On missionary work".
  • Pope Leo XIII. turned on November 20, 1890 with the mission encyclical Catholicae ecclesiae to the missionaries in Africa and condemned slavery.
  • In the encyclical Christi nomen ("the name of Christ") of December 24, 1894, Pope Leo XIII wrote about the spread of the faith and the Eastern Churches.
  • The missionary encyclical of Pius XI. Rerum ecclesiae is subtitled: "On the duty and manner of promoting sacred mission" and was published on February 28, 1926.
  • With the encyclical Saeculo exeunte octavo of June 2, 1940, Pope Pius XII pays tribute to the 800th anniversary of the Portuguese Independence Day. In this apostolic circular he addresses the Portuguese bishops and emphasizes the importance of missionary work.
  • Another mission encyclical is Evangelii praecones ("Heralds of the Gospel"). This published Pope Pius XII. on June 2, 1951. In it he writes about the promotion of Catholic missions.
  • With the encyclical Fidei donum ("Gift of Faith") of April 21, 1957 Pope Pius XII. To send priests to Africa, Asia and South America to remedy the shortage of priests there.
  • The encyclical Princeps pastorum ("The Supreme Shepherd") Pope John XXIII. of November 28, 1959, elaborates the importance of missionary work, the importance of the local clergy and the involvement of the laity in missionary work.
  • In his eighth encyclical Redemptoris missio (The Mission of the Savior) of December 7, 1990, Pope John Paul II wrote about the ongoing validity of the missionary mandate.

Apostolic Letter

With the following apostolic letters, the statements of the missionary encyclics are underlined and carried out again:

Post-Synodal Apostolic Letters

Pope John Paul II wrote several post-synodal apostolic circulars on the consecrated life and evangelization of peoples

Decrees

The Second Vatican Council issued two decrees on missionary activity and the apostolate of the laity : Ad gentes (on mission) and Apostolicam actuositatem (on the lay apostolate).

Rosary cycles

The custom of celebrating the month of October as the month of the rosary developed towards the end of the 18th century. Pope Leo XIII. promoted devotion to Our Lady by encouraging constant use of the rosary. Leo XIII. and his successors published several encyclicals ("Rosary Cyclicals") and apostolic letters.

Pope Leo XIII.

Apostolic Letter

Subsequent Popes

Social cyclics

The growing together of church and society established new fields of activity for the Catholic Church, the result was the development of an independent social doctrine and the emphasis on the social responsibility of everyone and the individual. Not all published encyclicals have a pronounced socio-political character and so their designation has also established itself as “ social encyclicals ”. In addition, two apostolic letters were published, the content of which can be assigned the character of a social encyclical.

The main social encyclicals and apostolic letters

  • Pope Leo XIII. wrote the epoch-making encyclical Rerum Novarum, known as the “mother of all social encyclics” . It was published on May 15, 1891.
  • Quadragesimo anno ("In the fortieth year") is the name given to Pope Pius XI on May 15, 1931. published encyclical. It was written under the impact of the economic crisis at the time. Its name is derived from the initial words and refers to the fortieth anniversary of the publication of the encyclical Rerum novarum .
  • The encyclical Non abbiamo bisogno was published on June 29, 1931 by Pope Pius XI. published in Italian. It deals with Catholic Action, Fascism in Italy and National Socialism in Germany.
  • The encyclical With Burning Concern was written by Pope Pius XI. signed on March 14, 1937. The encyclical deals with the afflicted situation of the Roman Catholic Church in the then German Reich and condemns the politics and ideology of National Socialism.
  • The encyclical Divini redemptoris on atheist communism was written by Pope Pius XI. and published on March 19, 1937.
  • The encyclical Mater et Magistra on the Church as mother and teacher of Pope John XXIII. was published on the 70th anniversary of the encyclical Rerum novarum on May 15, 1961.
  • Pacem in terris ("Peace on Earth") is the title of Pope John XXIII. on April 11, 1963 published encyclical "On peace among all peoples in truth, justice, love and freedom".
  • Populorum progressio ("The progress of the peoples") is the title of the encyclical of Pope Paul VI. dated March 26, 1967.
  • In his social encyclical Laborem exercens on the value of human labor of September 14, 1981, Pope John Paul II writes the ethics of labor.
  • Sollicitudo rei socialis (“The concern about social concerns”) is an encyclical dated December 30, 1987, in which Pope John Paul II developed the Catholic social teaching and concentrated on the problems of the North-South conflict.
  • The encyclical Centesimus annus ("In the hundredth year") is an apostolic circular of Pope John Paul II published on May 1, 1991, which was written 100 years after the encyclical Rerum novarum and about the decline of the communist states in Europe.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ vatican.va