An apostolic exhortation is a magisterial document written by the pope. Some experts regard it as third in importance among papal documents, after apostolic constitutions and encyclicals.[1] Exhortations generally encourage a particular virtue or activity. Apostolic exhortations are frequently issued following a Synod of Bishops, in which case they are known as post-synodal apostolic exhortations. They do not define Church doctrine and are not considered legislative.[2]
Examples of apostolic exhortations[edit]
Pope Pius XII[edit]
- Menti nostrae (The sanctity of priestly life, 1950)
Pope Paul VI[edit]
- Evangelii nuntiandi (Evangelization in the Modern World, 1975)
Pope John Paul II[edit]
- Catechesi tradendae (Catechesis in Our Time, 1979)
- Familiaris consortio (The Christian Family in the Modern World, 1981)
- Christifideles laici (Christ's Faithful People, 1988)
- Ecclesia in America (The Church in America, 1999)
- Ecclesia in Asia (The Church in Asia, 1999)
- Ecclesia in Europa (The Church in Europe, 2003)
- Pastores gregis (For the Hope of the World, 2003)
Pope Benedict XVI[edit]
- Africae munus (Africa's Commitment, 2011)[3]
- Sacramentum caritatis (The Sacrament of Love, 2007)
- Verbum Domini (The Word of the Lord, 2010)
Pope Francis[edit]
- Amoris laetitia (The Joy of Love, 2016)
- Gaudete et exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad, 2018)
- Christus vivit (Christ is Alive, 2019)[4][5]
- Evangelii gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel, 2013)
- Querida Amazonia (Beloved Amazon, 2020), a post-synodal exhortation on the Amazon Region[6]
- Laudate Deum (Praise God, 2023)[7]
References[edit]
- ^ San Martín, Inés (6 April 2018). "A new 'apostolic exhortation' is coming. What is that, anyway?". cruxnow.com. Archived from the original on 2020-01-27. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
- ^ Song, Connie. "LibGuides: Catholicism - General Resources: Papal documents". library.athenaeum.edu. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
- ^ "Africae Munus: Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Church in Africa in Service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace (19 November 2011) | BENEDICT XVI". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2015-09-03.
- ^ "Loreto: Pope signs Apostolic Exhortation to young people - Vatican News". 25 March 2019.
- ^ "Visit of the Holy Father Francis to Loreto".
- ^ "Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of the Holy Father Francis, "Querida Amazonia"".
- ^ Pope Francis (2023-10-04). "Laudate Deum". vatican.va. Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Retrieved 4 October 2023.