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Below are the major papal and concilliar encylicals and other documents that constitute what is traditionally considered Catholic social teaching. Each document is written in a particular historical setting and reflects on the needs and challenges present in the world.
- Rerum Novarum: The Condition of Labor (Leo XIII, 1891)
- Quadragesimo Anno: After Forty Years (Pius XI, 1931)
- Mater et Magistra: Christianity and Social Progress (John XXIII, 1961)
- Pacem in Terris: Peace on Earth (John XXIII, 1963)
- Gaudium et Spes: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Second Vatican Council, 1965)
- Populorum Progressio: On the Development of Peoples (Paul VI, 1967)
- Octogesima Adveniens: A Call to Action on the Eightieth Anniversary of Rerum Novarum (Paul VI, 1971)
- Evangelii Nuntiandi: Evangelization in the Modern World (Paul VI, 1975)
- Laborem Exercens: On Human Work (John Paul II, 1981)
- Sollicitudo Re Socialis: On Social Concern (John Paul II, 1987)
- Centesimus Annus: On the Hundreth Anniversary of Rerum Novarum (John Paul II, 1991)
- Caritas in Veritate: On Integral Human Development in Charity and Truth (Benedict XVI, 2009)
- Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home (Francis, 2015)