Documents of Pope John Paul II

(arranged in chronological order within document types)

Encyclicals
The Redeemer of Man (Redemptor Hominis)
March 4, 1979
In his first encyclical, John Paul outlines the program for his pontificate. The document centers on Christ the Redeemer, the human person and the Church’s mission today.

On the Mercy of God (Dives in Misericordia)
November 30, 1980
This encyclical focuses on God the Father, recalling his mercy and love for sinful humanity. It treats of people’s need for mercy today, and mercy in relation to the Church’s mission.

On Human Work (Laborem Exercens)
September 14, 1981
John Paul’s first social encyclical discusses the dignity of the human person in relation to work. The pope draws on his experience as a worker and develops a spirituality of human work, relating it to the redemption.

Eleventh Centenary of Saints Cyril and Methodius (Slavorum Apostoli)
June 2, 1985
This encyclical epistle presents the relevance of these two saints as model evangelizers. It covers evangelization, inculturation, ecumenism and Europe’s role in spreading Christianity.

On the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Church and the World (Dominum et Vivificantem)
May 18, 1986
This extensive presentation of the Holy Spirit’s role in the Church and the world draws heavily from Scripture and from the teaching of the Second Vatican Council.

Mother of the Redeemer (Redemptoris Mater)
March 25, 1987
This major document on Mary situates her in relation to Christ the Redeemer and to the Church. The pope presents Mary as a figure of the Church and explains her role of maternal mediation.

On Social Concern (Sollicitudo Rei Socialis)
December 30, 1987

Written for the twentieth anniversary of Paul VI’s Populorum Progressio, this encyclical comments on the world’s social and economic development in light of new situations.
Mission of the Redeemer (Redemptoris Missio)
December 7, 1990

Based on a theology of mission, this encyclical sounds the pope’s call for a new evangelization.
On the Hundredth Anniversary of Rerum Novarum (Centesimus Annus)

May 1, 1991
Commemorating Leo XIII’s important social encyclical, this document addresses social issues in view of the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe.
The Splendor of Truth (Veritatis Splendor)

August 6, 1993
An important papal statement on the Church’s moral teaching.

The Gospel of Life (Evangelium Vitae)
March 25, 1995

This major encyclical on life issues stresses the dignity of the human person and presents Church teaching on the sanctity of human life.
On Commitment to Ecumenism (Ut Unum Sint)
May 25, 1995
Based on an ecclesiology of communion, this document discusses the Church’s role in ecumenical dialogue.

On the Relationship Between Faith and Reason (Fides et Ratio)
September 14, 1998
The pope, a professional philosopher himself, reflects on the role of Christian philosophy.

On the Eucharist in Its Relationship to the Church(Ecclesia de Eucharistia)
Encyclical on the Eucharist as the source and summit of the life of the Church, 2003

Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortations

On Catechesis in Our Time (Catechesi Tradendae)
October 16, 1979
On the role and importance of catechetics in the Church.

The Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World (Familiaris Consortio)
November 22, 1981
On the nature of the Christian family and its role in society.

Reconciliation and Penance (Reconciliatio et Paenitentia)
December 2, 1984
On the call to conversion and living in reconciliation.

I Will Give You Shepherds (Pastores Dabo Vobis)
March 25, 1992
On priestly formation and ministry in the Church.

Lay Members of Christ’s Faithful People (Christifideles Laici)
December 11, 1994
On the role of the laity in the Church and the world.

The Church in Africa (Ecclesia in Africa)
September 14, 1995
On the Church’s mission in Africa today.

Consecrated Life (Vita Consecrata)
March 25, 1996
On the nature of consecrated life and its renewal.

The Church in America (Ecclesia in America)
January 22,1999
On the Church’s mission in the Americas.

The Church in Asia (Ecclesia in Asia)
November 6, 1999
On the Church’s mission in Asia.

The Church in Oceania (Ecclesia in Oceania)
November 22, 2001
On the Church’s mission in Oceania

Apostolic Letters

Rutilans Agmen
May 8, 1979
For the ninth centenary of the martyrdom of St. Stanislaus.

Patres Ecclesiae
January 2, 1980
Commemorates the sixteenth centenary of the death of St. Basil.

On the Mystery and Worship of the Eucharist (Dominicae Cenae)
February 24, 1980
On the Eucharist and the priesthood.

Amantissima Providentia
April 29, 1980
For the sixth centenary of the death of St. Catherine of Siena.

Sanctorum Altrix
July 11, 1980
For the fifteenth centenary of the death of St. Benedict, patron of Europe.

The Freedom of Conscience and of Religion
September 1, 1980
To the heads of States which signed the Helsinki Final Act on freedom of religion.

Egregiae Virtutis
December 31, 1980
Commemorates Leo XIII’s encyclical Grande Munus on Saints Cyril and Methodius.

For the sixteen-hundredth Anniversary of the First Council of Constantinople and the fifteen-hundredth Anniversary of the Council of Ephesus
March 25, 1981
On the Christological and Marian teachings of these Church councils.

Essential Elements in the Church’s Teaching on Religious Life
April 3, 1983
A letter to the bishops of the United States on the renewal of religious life as called for by Vatican II.

On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering (Salvifici Doloris)
February 11, 1984
Suffering in light of the Paschal Mystery.

To Men and Women Religious on Their Consecration in the Light of the Mystery of the Redemption (Redemptionis Donum)
March 25, 1984
Issued for the Jubilee Year of the Redemption.

Redemptionis Anno
April 20, 1984
An appeal for peace in Jerusalem and the Middle East.

Les Grands Mystères
May 1, 1984
On the situation in Lebanon.

Establishing the Pontifical Commission for the Apostolate of Health Care Workers (Dolentium Hominum)
February 11, 1985
Augustine of Hippo (Augustinum Hipponensem)
August 28, 1986
On the significance of the great Doctor of the Church, St. Augustine.

Sescentesima Anniversaria
June 5, 1987
For the sixth centenary of the Christianization of Lithuania.

Spiritus Domini
August 1, 1987
For the bicentennial of the death of St. Alphonsus.

On the twelve-hundredth Anniversary of the Second Council of Nicaea (Duodecimum Saeculum)
December 4, 1987
To commemorate the Second Council of Nicaea, which dealt with the controversy surrounding icons.

Euntes in Mundum
January 25, 1988
Commemorates the millennial celebration of the baptism of St. Vladimir and the conversion of Russia to Christianity.

To All Consecrated Persons on the Occasion of the Marian Year (Litterae Encyclicae)
May 22, 1988
On the consecrated life.

On the Dignity and Vocation of Women (Mulieris Dignitatem)
August 15, 1988
On the vocation of women in light of the pope’s "theology of the body."

Ecclesia Dei
July 2, 1988
On the situation regarding Archbishop Lefebvre and the Tridentine Mass.

On the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of Sacrosanctum Concilium (Vicesimus Quintus Annus)
December 4, 1988
Commemorates Vatican II’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy and gives guidelines for liturgical renewal.

Guardian of the Redeemer (Redemptoris Custos)
August 15, 1989
On the person and mission of St. Joseph in the life of Christ and of the Church.

Fiftieth Anniversary of the Beginning of World War II
August 27, 1989
On the need for world peace.

On the Situation in Lebanon
September 7, 1989
An appeal for peace.

For the Centenary of the "Work of St. Peter the Apostle"
October 1, 1989
On the work of this association to promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Fifth Centenary of Evangelization of the New World
June 29, 1990
Commemorates the Christianization of the Americas.

On Reserving Priestly Ordination to Men Alone (Ordinatio Sacerdotalis)
May 22, 1994
Discusses the question of the ordination of women.

On Preparation for the Jubilee of the Year 2000 (Tertio Millennio Adveniente)
November 10, 1994
Outlines the proximate preparations for the great Jubilee year.

Light of the East (Orientale Lumen)
May 2, 1995
On the significance of Christian traditions from the East.

Fourth Centenary of the Union of Brest
November 12, 1995
Commemorates the union of the Greek Ukrainian Church with Rome.

Three Hundred Fifty Years of the Union of Uzhorod
April 18, 1996
On the union of the Ukrainian eparchy of Mukacheve with Rome as a result of the Council of Florence.

Operosam Diem
December 1, 1996
Commemorates the sixteenth centenary of the death of St. Ambrose.

Stella Maris
January 31, 1997
On the maritime apostolate.

Laetamur Magnopere
August 15, 1997
Promulgates the Latin typical edition of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Divini Amoris Scientia
October 19, 1997
Proclaims St. Thérèse a doctor of the Church.

On the Theological and Juridical Nature of Episcopal Conferences (Apostolos Suos)
May 21, 1998
On the relation of national bishops’ conferences and the Holy See.

By Which Certain Norms Are Inserted into the Code of Canon Law and into the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (Ad Tuendam Fidem)
May 28, 1998
Norms for teaching the Catholic faith in fidelity to the Church’s tradition.

On Keeping the Lord’s Day Holy (Dies Domini)
May 31, 1998
On Sunday as the heart of Christian life.

Inter Munera Academiarum
January 28, 1999
On the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas.

Proclaiming St. Bridget of Sweden, St. Catherine of Siena and St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Co-Patronesses of Europe
October 1, 1999

Most Holy Rosary (Rosarium Virginis Mariae)
The Rosary, though clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christocentric prayer. In the sobriety of its elements, it has all the depth of the Gospel message in its entirety, of which it can be said to be a compendium. It is an echo of the prayer of Mary, her perennial Magnificat for the work of the redemptive Incarnation which began in her virginal womb.

On Certain Aspects of the Celebration of the Sacrament of Penance (Misericordia Dei)
This document recalls some of the canonical laws in force regarding the celebration of this Sacrament and clarifies certain aspects of them – in a spirit of communion with the responsibility proper to the entire Episcopate (9) with a view to a better administration of the Sacrament.

Pastores gregis (October 16, 2003)
The duty of bishops to the world in the new millennium to proclaim Christ to the world.

Ecclesia in Europa (June 28, 2003)
Spiritus et Sponsa: on the 40th anniversary of the Constitution "Sacrosanctum Concilium" on the Sacred Liturgy (December 4, 2003)
The promulgation of the Constitution on the Liturgy marked a stage of fundamental importance in the life of the Church for the promotion and development of the Liturgy. This document reviews the ground that has been covered and indicates areas for deepening and growth.

Apostolic Constitutions

On Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties (Sapientia Christiana)
April 29, 1979
Norms on ecclesiastical universities and faculties regarding the teaching of theology.

Magnum Matrimonii Sacramentum
October 7, 1982
On the Pontifical Institute for Studies of Marriage and Family.

Apostolic Constitution for the Promulgation of the New Code of Canon Law (Sacrae Disciplinae Leges)
January 25, 1983
The official text promulgating the Code of Canon Law.

Divinus Perfectionis Magister
January 25, 1983
On new legislation regulating the causes of the saints.

Pastor Bonus
June 28, 1988
On the Roman Curia.

Fidei Depositum
October 11, 1992
On the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

On Catholic Universities (Ex Corde Ecclesiae)
August 15, 1990
On the mission of Catholic universities and their role in teaching the faith.

Universi Dominici Gregis
February 22, 1996
New legislation governing the election of a pope.

Ecclesia in Urbe
January 1, 1998
On the vicariate of Rome.

Novo Millennio Ineunte

January 6, 2001

At the close of the great Jubilee of the year 2000.

On the 1700^th anniversary of the "Baptism of Armenia"
February 17, 2001

Apostolic Letter to the Catholic People of Hungary for the conclusion of the "Hungarian Millennium"
July 25, 2001

Misericordai Dei
May 2, 2002
On certain aspects of the celebration of the Sacrament of Penance

Letters to special groups:

To the Youth of the World (Dilecti Amici)
March 31, 1985
On the occasion of the International Youth Year.

Letter to Families February 2, 1994
On the occasion of the Year of the Family.

Letter to Children
December 13, 1994
On the occasion of the Year of the Family.

Letter to Women
June 29, 1995
On the occasion of the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing.

Letter to Artists
April 4, 1999

Letter to the Elderly
October 1, 1999