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Rerum Novarum
in may of 1891, Pope Leo XIII wrote the first encyclical called "Rerum Novarum" which translates to "of new things". The main focus of the encyclical is the difference of conditions people live in due to their financial status. Pope Leo compared the conditions some people are living in to the conditions slaves live in. -
Quadragesimo Anno
Issued by Pope Pius XI in May 1931, Quadragesimo Anno or "on the fortieth frontier", is an encyclical that focuses on much the same as Rerum Novarum, mentioning the unfair pay of labourers and their inability to support a family, forcing an unfair cost of a product or service to the consumer, and also addresses the fact that the largest majority of money and power in the world is held in the hands of only a few individuals. -
Mater et Magistra
Pope John XXIII issued Mater et Magistra or "Mother and Teacher" was the first encyclical to be issued to the global church, rather than just the European churchs. The encyclical asks the churches of the world to improve their emergency aid and also their development and also addresses and discusses the "impending population explosion". The encyclical closes with Pope John stating that we should improve international cooperation and also describing the vision Christians have for the world. -
Pacem In Terris
Also issued by Pope John XXIII, Pacem In Terris or “Peace on Earth”, is concerned with "building peace throughout the world on truth, justice, love and freedom”. This encyclical was written by the Pope as he lay dying after the Cuban missile crisis. The encyclical discusses Pope John's understanding of human nature and on the “fundamental rights and duties” that God set when he created humanity. -
Laborem Exercens
Laborem Exercens or "on human work" was Pope John Paul II’s first encyclical. In this encyclical, Pope John Paul begins to explore the idea of solidarity. -
Sollicitudo Rei Socialis
Sollicitudo Rei Socialis or "The Social Concern of the Church”, is an encyclical written by Pope John Paul II. The encyclical provided the catholic world with an evaluation of capitalist and communist economies as well as an introduction to the structure of sin. -
Caritas In Veritate, Deus Caritas Est & Spe Salvi
Caritas In Veritate or "charity in truth", Deus Caritas Est or "God Is Love" and Spe Salvi or "In Hope We Are Saved" are all of the encyclicals written by Pope Benedict XVI. All of these encyclicals focus on the topic of charity and states that we humans, as moral beings, should not help others because we have to, but because we are warm, loving and understanding, and we have the ability to make a change through these traits. -
Laudato Si
Issued by Pope Francis in May 2015, Laudato Si or "on care for our common home", is an encyclical that addresses the issue of the damage done to our planet. The encyclical focuses on environmental degradation and global warming, and asks people to do their part to assist in reducing the amount of damage done to the Earth.