Papal Library

Encyclical Letter of His Holiness Pope Leo XIIIOn the Condition of the Working Classes Issued on May 15, 1891 To Our Venerable Brethren the Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops, Bishops and other Ordinaries of Places Having Peace and Communion with the Apostolic See: 1. Once the passion for revolutionary change was aroused –a passion long disturbing governments–it was bound to follow sooner or later...

Christus Dominus Apostolic Constitution of Pope Pius XIIconcerning the discipline to be observed with respect to the Eucharistic fast January 6, 1953 Pius, Bishop, Servant of the Servants of God for an everlasting remembrance Christ the Lord on the night in which He was betrayed[1] when for the last time He kept the Pasch of the old law, after He had supped[2]...

Arcanum Encyclical of Pope Leo XIIIOn Christian Marriage Promulgated on February 10, 1880 To the Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops, and Bishops of the Catholic World in Grace and Communion with the Apostolic See. The hidden design of the divine wisdom, which Jesus Christ the Savior of men came to carry out on earth, had this end in view, that, by Himself and in...

Universi Dominici Gregis Apostolic Constitution of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II on the Vacancy of the Apostolic See and the Election of the Roman Pontiff February 22, 1996 Chapter I:The Powers of the College of CardinalsDuring the Vacancy of the Apostolic See Chapter II:The Congregations of the Cardinalsin Preparation for the Electionof the Supreme Pontiff Chapter III:Concerning Certain Offices Duringthe Vacancy...

Urban VIII1623-1644 Maffeo Barberini born 1568 This pope, Maffeo Barberini, was born at Florence in 1568, son of Antonio Barberini and Camilla Barbadori, whose families were distinguished for their nobility and their lofty connections. When Maffeo was three years old he lost his father, and made his early studies, in his own tongue, under the wise direction of his mother. Camilla then...

The Writings of Pope Pius XII Apostolic Constitutions Apostolic Exhortation Encyclicals