Church Documents
Amoris Laetitia: The Joy of Love
Pope Francis has released the second Apostolic Exhortation of his Pontificate - Amoris Laetitia: The Joy of Love.
Here is a link to the full text. Church leaders from around the world have hailed the tone of mercy in The Joy of Love but caution against a hurried reading of the document.
PAPAL DOCUMENTS Laudato Si'
Pope Francis has released the first Encyclical of his Pontificate - Laudato Si': On the Care of Our Common Home.
Here is a link to the full text.
Australian Documents
The Australian Bishops Conference releases statements concerning contemporary issues and Church teachings. Those statements range from migrants and refugees, the plight of the poor, to assessment of policy and its impact on Catholic social teaching. (Image C paintings / Shutterstock.com ).
Dei Verbum, Divine Revelation
The document Dei Verbum (Word of God) is one of only two dogmatic constitutions issued by Vatican II, the other being Lumen Gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church. Download PDF Other Vatican II documents here.
Papal Writings
Throughout the centuries, Popes have produced teaching documents on a range of important topics in the life of the Catholic Church. Among those documents are Encyclicals and Apostolic Exhortations.
The list below includes all Encyclicals and Apostolic Exhortations issued since 1990.
Pope Francis (March 2013-present)
Encyclicals
Laudato Si' (24 May 2015)
Lumen Fidei (29 June 2013)
Apostolic Exhortations
Querida Amazonia: Post-Synodal Exhortation to the People of God and to All Persons of Good Will (2 February 2020)
Christus Vivit: Post-Synodal Exhortation to Young People and to the entire People of God (25 March 2019)
Gaudete et Exsultate: Apostolic Exhortation on the call to holiness in today's world (19 March 2018)
Amoris Laetitia: Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on love in the family (19 March 2016)
Evangelii Gaudium : Apostolic Exhortation on the Proclamation of the Gospel in Today's World (24 November 2013)
Pope Benedict XVI (April 2005-February 2013)
Encyclicals
Caritas in Veritate (June 29, 2009)
Spe Salvi (November 30, 2007)
Deus Caritas Est (December 25, 2005)
Apostolic Exhortations
Africae Munus: Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Church in Africa in Service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace (19 November 2011)
Sacramentum Caritatis: Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Eucharist as the Source and Summit of the Church's Life and Mission (22 February 2007)
Pope John Paul II (October 1978-April 2005)*
Encyclicals
Ecclesia de Eucharistia (17 April 2003)
Fides et Ratio (14 September 1998)
Ut Unum Sint (25 May 1995)
Evangelium Vitae (25 March 1995)
Veritatis Splendor (6 August 1993)
Centesimus Annus (1 May 1991)
Redemptoris Missio (7 December 1990)
* Click here for Pope John Paul II’s Encyclicals before 1990
Apostolic Exhortations
Pastores Gregis (October 16, 2003)
Ecclesia in Europa (June 28, 2003)
Ecclesia in Oceania (November 22, 2001)
Ecclesia in Asia (November 6, 1999)
Ecclesia in America (January 22, 1999)
A New Hope for Lebanon (May 10, 1997) – No English translation
Vita Consecrata (March 25, 1996)Vita Consecrata (March 25, 1996)
Ecclesia in Africa (September 14, 1995)
Pastores Dabo Vobis (March 15, 1992)
* Click here for Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Exhortations before 1990
Catholics are generally aware of the fact of papal infallibility and that the Church teaches with authority (Matthew 28:19-20). However they often do not have a clear idea that when the Church teaches in various modes, it does so with different levels of authority. Not all statements or documents carry the same weight.
PAPAL DOCUMENTS Lumen Fidei
Pope Francis has released two major documents during his pontificate so far - Lumen Fidei and Evangelii Gaudium - The Light of Faith and The Joy of the Gospel. Find commentaries on some other encyclicals...
