encyclical

An encyclical is a formal letter issued by the pope to the bishops of the Catholic Church, and typically published for a wider audience of Catholics and interested readers. Encyclicals are part of the church’s ordinary magisterium and are used to teach on matters of faith, morals, and social issues, or to address contemporary concerns with theological and pastoral reflection. The term derives from Late Latin enkyclicus, meaning circular, from Greek enkuklios.

History and scope: While the practice of papal letters extends earlier, the modern encyclical matured in the 19th and 20th centuries. They have often addressed themes such as social justice, human rights, and the role of reason in faith. One landmark early example is Rerum novarum (1891) by Leo XIII, which framed Catholic social teaching about the rights of workers, the duties of capital and the state, and the dignity of the person. Subsequent popes have issued encyclicals on a range of topics, including moral theology, family life, the relationship between faith and science, and care for creation.

Authority and content: Encyclicals are not dogmatic definitions by themselves and are not considered infallible unless explicitly proclaimed ex cathedra or stated to bind the universal Church. They commonly present theology, philosophy, and practical guidance, and they influence bishops, clergy, and lay Catholics in pastoral practice and ethical reflection.

Notable examples include Rerum novarum (Leo XIII), Humanae Vitae (Paul VI), Fides et Ratio (John Paul II), and Laudato si’ (Francis). See also papal documents, Catholic social teaching.