Pope Leo XIII and the “Rosary Encyclicals”

From the desk of the Tar Heel disciple:

May 26, 2025

 

Popes can communicate authoritatively through various means of communication. One such method is a document called an encyclical. The origin of this word appears to be founded in the concept of a “circular letter,” that is, a letter that is meant to be “circulated” among the intended recipients. The first pope in modern times to use this kind of papal document was Pope Benedict XIV, in 1740. Encyclicals can address doctrinal and/or pastoral matters and are intended to convey a high level of authority (usually recognized as “ordinary magisterium”). Most encyclicals have been addressed to one or more of the bishops of the Catholic Church, sometimes in a particular region and sometimes universally. More recent encyclicals have also been addressed to the Catholic faithful and even to all people “of good will.” They are usually entitled by the first words of the Latin text.

 

The most prolific pope in terms of encyclicals was Pope Leo XIII, who reigned from 1878 to 1903. He issued 88 encyclicals. In comparison, Pope Benedict XVI only promulgated three and Pope Francis issued four (though, it should be noted, his first, Lumen fidei (2013), was largely based on a text that his predecessor had left him and to which he added his contribution). Our newly elected pontiff has drawn much attention to the “social encyclicals,” especially Rerum novarum (1891), of his predecessor, Leo XIII. These provided important pastoral direction for the universal church in light of the consequences of the industrial revolution for both capital and labor.

 

 

In this Marian month of May, it might be of particular interest to Catholics to note that of his numerous encyclicals, Leo XIII wrote twelve about the rosary, beginning in 1883. Most of them were issued in September, anticipating the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary in October. These documents are listed on the web at:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_encyclicals_of_Pope_Leo_XIII_on_the_Rosary

and can easily be found in English translation at the Vatican website:

https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals.index.html

 

These documents can be used fruitfully for individual spiritual reading as well for gaining insights into the spirituality of Pope Leo XIII, whose papacy draws new attention due to recent events. And, of course, these documents might well deepen our devotion to the holy rosary and inspire us to pray it often for the welfare and intentions of Pope Leo XIV.