What type of documents can a Pope publish?

Pope Leo XIV has written his first apostolic exhortation, I love youabout love for the poor. This recent publication offers an opportunity to clarify its relevance and remember what other types of pontifical documents exist.

Papal documents vary in their degree of authority depending on the intention and purpose of the Holy Father. Through them, the Pontiff exercises his mission of government and teaches and guides Catholics on various aspects of doctrine and faith.

apostolic constitution

It is one of the most important and authoritative papal documents. Its content can have great doctrinal weight and be promulgated as an act of the Magisterium, as happens in dogmatic definitions.

It can also be issued as an act of government, for example, for the creation of dioceses or the promulgation of norms regarding the election of the Pope in a possible conclave.

Among them stands out Munificentissimuswith which Pope Pius XII defined the dogma of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in 1950. Another example is Pastor Bonuswith which Saint John Paul II established the structure and powers of the Vatican dicasteries and which was replaced in 2022 with Preach the Gospelby Pope Francis.

Encyclical

It is a letter that the Pope addresses to the bishops of the universal Church and is generally about matters of faith and morals.

Sometimes the Pontiff may direct his encyclical to a particular country or region, as Pius XI did with With burning concernaddressed to the German people to condemn racism.

The last encyclical published is Loves uswritten by Pope Francis in 2024 about the human and divine love of the heart of Jesus Christ.

Apostolic Exhortation

Its authority and relevance is similar to that of the encyclical, although the latter usually communicates to the universal Church the conclusions that the Pontiff has reached after the celebration of a synod of bishops.

This document can also have a more pastoral character, inviting Catholics to deepen their life of faith. This is the case of the recent apostolic exhortation of Pope Leo XIV, with which he remembers that the poor are the center of the Gospel.

Pope Francis published several post-synodal apostolic exhortations, such as Dear Amazon after the 2020 Synod or Christ lives, aimed at young people in 2019.

apostolic letter

They are also letters or epistles, although of less authority and less solemn than an encyclical. They may address a doctrinal issue or announce a papal act, such as the inscription of a blessed or martyr in the book of saints or the designation of a basilica.

Benedict XIV, for example, granted the title of Doctor of the Church to Saint John of Ávila through a apostolic letter published in 2012.

Motu proprio

This is a document that the Pope issues on his own initiative and not as a response to a request. Although it does not repeal existing laws, unless specifically stated, its legal determinations carry the full force of papal authority.

One of the most relevant documents of Pope Francis’ Pontificate was Traditions Guardian (2021), with which he established restrictions for the celebration of Masses in Latin in the extraordinary form prior to the 1970 reform, using the Roman Missal of 1962.

Common statements

It is a declaration that the Pope makes together with another religious leader in which they express their mutual agreement on a topic of faith or a specific teaching. It is the case of the joint declaration that Pope Francis signed with Grand Imam Ahmad Al-Tayyeb in 2019 in Abu Dhabi on human fraternity and world peace.

Homilies

The homilies that the Pope gives on the Holy Scriptures during the Masses that he presides throughout his pontificate.

Hearings

Every Wednesday, the Holy Father presides over a general audience in the Vatican in the presence of numerous faithful and pilgrims who listen to his catechesis on a specific topic.

The Pontiff also holds private audiences with certain groups, entities, religious orders, political leaders, clergy, etc. Most of these meetings usually reveal their speech or the topic that has been addressed, although many meetings, particularly with leaders or members of the clergy, usually take place behind closed doors.

Speeches

Outside the usual context of the audience or the liturgy of a Mass, the Pope may address groups of people. This situation usually occurs especially during their apostolic trips or public meetings.

Messages

They are written or spoken messages, often conveying a personal greeting, to individuals or groups. The message is generally shorter than a letter or address.