This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to papal encyclicals, not to mention apostolic letters, etc. While by no means an exhaustive list, CQBO finds that the following works within the Catholic canon of knowledge and is valuable to know, especially when preparing for Catholic quiz bowl tournaments.
| Title | Pope | Date of Issuance | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubi Primum | Benedict XIV | 1740 | First papal encyclical; addressed duties of bishops. |
| Mirari Vos | Gregory XVI | 1832 | Condemned religious indifferentism and liberalism. |
| Qui Pluribus | Pius IX | 1846 | Warned against rationalism, socialism, and secret societies. |
| Quanta Cura | Pius IX | 1864 | Accompanied the Syllabus of Errors condemning modernist ideas. |
| Immortale Dei | Leo XIII | 1885 | On the Christian constitution of states. |
| Libertas | Leo XIII | 1888 | Explored human freedom in light of Church teaching. |
| Rerum Novarum | Leo XIII | 1891 | Foundational social teaching on workers' rights and capitalism. |
| Providentissimus Deus | Leo XIII | 1893 | Encouraged scholarly study of Scripture. |
| Pascendi Dominici Gregis | Pius X | 1907 | Condemned modernism as synthesis of all heresies. |
| Quas Primas | Pius XI | 1925 | Instituted the feast of Christ the King. |
| Casti Connubii | Pius XI | 1930 | On Christian marriage and condemnation of contraception. |
| Mit Brennender Sorge | Pius XI | 1937 | Condemned Nazi ideology and violations of the concordat. |
| Mystici Corporis Christi | Pius XII | 1943 | On the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ. |
| Divino Afflante Spiritu | Pius XII | 1943 | Promoted modern biblical scholarship. |
| Mediator Dei | Pius XII | 1947 | On the sacred liturgy; precursor to Vatican II reforms. |
| Humani Generis | Pius XII | 1950 | On modern philosophical errors and evolution. |
| Orientales Ecclesias | Pius XII | 1952 | On the plight of Eastern Catholics under communism. |
| Ad Caeli Reginam | Pius XII | 1954 | Established the feast of the Queenship of Mary. |
| Ad Apostolorum Principis | Pius XII | 1958 | On the Church in China and loyalty to Rome. |
| Mater et Magistra | John XXIII | 1961 | Social teaching updating Rerum Novarum. |
| Pacem in Terris | John XXIII | 1963 | Peace and human rights during Cold War tensions. |
| Ecclesiam Suam | Paul VI | 1964 | On the nature and renewal of the Church. |
| Mysterium Fidei | Paul VI | 1965 | On the Eucharist and real presence. |
| Christus Dominus | Paul VI | 1965 | On the pastoral office of bishops. |
| Populorum Progressio | Paul VI | 1967 | Called for international justice and development. |
| Humanae Vitae | Paul VI | 1968 | Reaffirmed Church teaching against artificial contraception. |
| Redemptor Hominis | John Paul II | 1979 | First encyclical of his pontificate, on Christ and human dignity. |
| Dives in Misericordia | John Paul II | 1980 | On God’s mercy and the parable of the prodigal son. |
| Laborem Exercens | John Paul II | 1981 | On the dignity and rights of workers. |
| Slavorum Apostoli | John Paul II | 1985 | On Saints Cyril and Methodius as co-patrons of Europe. |
| Redemptoris Mater | John Paul II | 1987 | On the role of Mary in the mystery of Christ and the Church. |
| Sollicitudo Rei Socialis | John Paul II | 1987 | 20th anniversary of Populorum Progressio; development and solidarity. |
| Redemptoris Missio | John Paul II | 1990 | On the missionary activity of the Church. |
| Centesimus Annus | John Paul II | 1991 | 100th anniversary of Rerum Novarum; addressed communism’s collapse. |
| Veritatis Splendor | John Paul II | 1993 | On the fundamentals of moral theology. |
| Ut Unum Sint | John Paul II | 1995 | On commitment to Christian unity. |
| Orientale Lumen | John Paul II | 1995 | On the Eastern Catholic Churches. |
| Evangelium Vitae | John Paul II | 1995 | On the value and inviolability of human life. |
| Fides et Ratio | John Paul II | 1998 | On the relationship between faith and reason. |
| Ecclesia in America | John Paul II | 1999 | Post-synodal exhortation on the Church in the Americas. |
| Ecclesia in Asia | John Paul II | 1999 | Post-synodal exhortation on evangelization in Asia. |
| Rosarium Virginis Mariae | John Paul II | 2002 | Introduced the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. |
| Ecclesia in Europa | John Paul II | 2003 | On proclaiming the Gospel in Europe. |
| Ecclesia de Eucharistia | John Paul II | 2003 | On the Eucharist in the life of the Church. |
| Deus Caritas Est | Benedict XVI | 2005 | On Christian love; first encyclical of his pontificate. |
| Spe Salvi | Benedict XVI | 2007 | On Christian hope. |
| Caritas in Veritate | Benedict XVI | 2009 | Social encyclical on truth in love and economic justice. |
| Lumen Fidei | Francis | 2013 | On faith; largely drafted by Benedict XVI. |
| Laudato Si' | Francis | 2015 | On care for our common home; environmental stewardship. |
| Laetitia Amoris | Francis | 2016 | On love in the family and the joy of marriage. |
| Fratelli Tutti | Francis | 2020 | On fraternity and social friendship. |
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