Saepe venerabiles fratres

With the encyclical Saepe venerabiles fratres of August 5, 1871, Pope Pius IX. towards the 25th anniversary of his pontificate , which is now the longest pontificate since Simon Peter . He also thanks for all the good wishes, gifts and the trust placed in him. With his final blessing he combined the encouragement not to let up in prayer and to ask the good God for peace and justice.