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Click on the name of one of Pope Francis’ writings below to view it. Visit the Vatican website to view a complete list of Pope Francis’ writings. These include his encyclicals, exhortations, homilies, letters, audiences, and speeches. However, this is a list of his major writings, which is mostly his encyclicals and exhortations. In addition, you can find all of the other resources that are found on the Vatican.

When reading the documents below, please note that encyclicals do not necessarily change Church doctrine. These documents consist of the views of the pope on a particular area of Church doctrine, which usually emphasize a certain teaching of the Catholic Church.

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Christus Vivit (Christ is Alive!)

Released:  March 25, 2019

 

The post-synodal exhortation from Pope Francis is addressed to the young people of the Church.  In this writing, Pope Francis explores what it means to be a young person in the Church today, while encouraging the young to continue to grow in holiness.

Gaudete Et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad)

Released April 2018
 

 

In his third apostolic exhortation, Pope Francis presents the universal call to live holy lives with a new, fresh approach. We are encouraged to strive for — and achieve — holiness in our everyday lives. As we actively live out holiness day by day, we not only draw closer to the Lord ourselves, but become participants in bringing others to Christ.“We are frequently tempted to think that holiness is only for those who can withdraw from ordinary affairs to spend much time in prayer. That is not the case. We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves.” — Pope Francis, Gaudete et Exsultate

Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love)

Released March 2016

 

The Joy of Love (Amoris Laetitia) brings together the results of the two Synods on the Family convoked by Pope Francis in 2014 and 2015. Striking for its breadth and detail—and firmly grounded in the challenges of family experiences—the Joy of Love affirms the rich and complex reality of family life with pastoral care, speaking the language of experience and hope. Pope Francis reaches out to married couples, parents, and children in a spirit of accompaniment, asking everyone to read slowly, paying special attention to what applies most to our different needs. The Joy of Love is truly remarkable for its practical and concrete suggestions. It also challenges us to be understanding in the face of complex and painful situation.

Laudato Si’ (On Care for Our Common Home)

Released May 2015

 

On Care for Our Common Home (Laudato Si’) is the new appeal from Pope Francis addressed to “every person living on this planet” for an inclusive dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. Pope Francis calls the Church and the world to acknowledge the urgency of our environmental challenges and to join him in embarking on a new path. This encyclical is written with both hope and resolve, looking to our common future with candor and humility.

2015 Lenten Message

Released January 2015

Pope Francis is inviting all believers to open their hearts to God and to overcome a “globalization of indifference” that is threatening to spread a feeling of distress and powerlessness and causing individuals and communities to withdraw into themselves, closing “the door through which God comes into the world and the world comes to him”.

Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel)

Released December 2013

 

The Joy of the Gospel (Evangelii Gaudium) is the long-awaited teaching of Pope Francis on the proclamation of the Gospel. Pope Francis is calling upon the Church and the world with encouragement to begin a new chapter in evangelization. This dynamic document is written in the plain, everyday language for which the pope has become famous.

Lumen Fidei (Light of Faith)

Released July 2013

 

Pope Francis’ first encyclical, Lumen Fidei (Light of Faith) builds on the work of his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, completing a trilogy of encyclicals on the theological virtues-faith, hope, and love. This encyclical, “written by four hands,” will encourage the People of God to embrace their faith more fully in this Year of Faith and beyond.