Major Documents
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Below you will find major documents considered to be primary teachings in Catholic Social Thought, including official writings issued by popes, bishops, and other prominent faith leaders. Document pages include the official text, notable quotations, and other relevant resources. The following documents are sorted chronologically from oldest to most recent.
- Rerum Novarum (On the Condition of Labor) – Pope Leo XIII, 1891
- Quadragesimo Anno (After Forty Years) – Pope Pius XI, 1931
- Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher) – Pope John XXIII, 1961
- Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth) – Pope John XXIII, 1963
- Gaudium et Spes (The Church in the Modern World) – Vatican Council II, 1965
- Populorum Progressio (On the Development of Peoples) – Pope Paul VI, 1967
- Octogesima Adveniens (A Call to Action) – Pope Paul VI, 1971
- Justicia in Mundo (Justice in the World) – Synod of Bishops, 1971
- Solicitudo Rei Socialis (On Social Concern) – Pope John Paul II, 1987
- Centesimus Annus (The Hundredth Year) – Pope John Paul II, 1991
- Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life) – Pope John Paul II, 1995
- Fides et Ratio (Faith and Reason) – Pope John Paul II, 1998
- Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love) – Pope Benedict XVI, 2005
- Sacramentum Caritatis (Apostolic Exhortation on the Eucharist) – Pope Benedict XVI, 2007
- Caritas in Veritate (In Charity and Truth) – Pope Benedict XVI, 2009
- Lumen Fidei (Encyclical on the Light of Faith) – Pope Francis, 2013
- Evangelii Gaudium (Apostolic Exhortation on The Joy of the Gospel) – Pope Francis, 2013
- Laudato Si’ (Apostolic Exhortation on Care for Our Common Home) – Pope Francis, 2015
- Amoris Laetitia (Apostolic Exhortation on the Call to Holiness in Today’s World) – Pope Francis, 2016
- Gaudete Et Exsultate (Apostolic Exhortation On The Call To Holiness In Today’s World) – Pope Francis, 2018
- Fratelli Tutti (Encyclical on Fraternity and Social Friendship) – Pope Francis, 2020
- Major Documents by U.S. Bishops – 1919-2012