Leo XIII
Pope from 1878 to 1903, born Vincenzo Gioacchino Pecci at Carpineto Romano. His encyclical Rerum novarum of 1891 set out the Catholic Church’s teaching on labour, property and the duties of the state.
The Holy See’s page for Leo XIII gives his name before his election as Vincenzo Gioacchino Pecci, his birthplace as Carpineto Romano, and his pontificate as running from 20 February 1878 to 20 July 1903 (Holy See, biographical profile of Leo XIII). In 1879 he made John Henry Newman a cardinal (Newman, Biglietto Speech report of 12 May 1879 and addresses).
In Rerum novarum, dated 15 May 1891 (Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum 64), he wrote that a remedy had to be found quickly for the misery pressing unjustly on the majority of the working class (Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum 3), and that natural justice requires wages sufficient to support a frugal and well-behaved wage-earner (Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum 45). See Rerum Novarum and Christian Social Teaching. The patriarch of Constantinople and his synod, replying in August 1895, record that he had invited the Orthodox Church to unite with Rome (Patriarchal Encyclical of 1895 sect. 2 and closing date).
In the timeline
- 15 May 1891, firm dateRerum Novarum and Christian Social Teaching
Pope Leo XIII addresses the condition of industrial workers. His encyclical rejects socialism and class war, defends private property, and teaches that workers are owed a living wage, limits on their hours, the protection of the law and the right to form unions.
Primary sources
Rerum Novarum
- Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum 64vatican.va
- Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum 3vatican.va
- Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum 45vatican.va