Description

Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope, noted that his named predecessor, Leo XIII, would be a significant influence on his papacy. Here we explore Leo XIII's teachings.

Pope Leo XIII, in the late 19th century after the Papacy lost its temporal power, confronted widespread secularization and social upheaval. His early encyclicals aimed to reassert the Church's vital role and teachings. These included:

• Inscrutabili Dei Consilio: Argued societal ills stemmed from rejecting the Church.
• Diuturnum Illud: Affirmed divine origin of civil authority.
• Licet Multa: Called for Catholic unity and renewed Thomistic philosophy in Belgium.
• Etsi Nos: Urged Italian Catholics to active public defense of faith.
• Auspicato Concessum: Proposed Franciscan virtues for societal spiritual renewal.