You may have noticed a survey at the bottom of some articles on Aleteia. Our first question is asking "Which of John Paul II's documents is your favorite?"
The options are:
- Fides et ratio, an encyclical discussing the relationship between faith and reason
- Evangelium vitae, an encyclical about the "Gospel of Life" that outlines the Church's views on the sanctity of life
- Familiaris consortio, an apostolic exhortation about family life
- Salvifici doloris, an apostolic letter about redemptive suffering
- Other (and please tell us!)
St. John Paul II was quite the writer during his very long pontificate. He published 14 encyclicals, 15 apostolic exhortations, a whopping 45 apostolic letters, and 11 apostolic constitutions.
What is the difference between these document types?
Apostolic letters, like Salvifici doloris, are meant to address and clarify doctrinal matters in the Church and can be used to address other important topics.
Apostolic exhortations, such as Familiaris consortio, are similar to an apostolic letter, but it is more of an encouragement or pressure to the people of the Church concerning a particular topic that matters to the pope. Often, an apostolic exhortation is written following the conclusion of a synod.
Encyclicals, such as Fides et ratio and Evangelium vitae, are a longer, comprehensive document concerning a part of Catholic doctrine. Encyclicals are addressed, typically, to bishops and priests.
Apostolic constitutions are magisterial actions. These can be about the creation of a new diocese, or something relating to the way church schools and universities are administered.
