Dear Good People of Saint Bernadette,

Pope Leo XIV often speaks about Catholic Social Teaching in his writings and certainly chose his name for a reason.

Catholic Social Teaching is the body of doctrine developed by the Catholic Church to guide individuals, communities, and societies in promoting justice, peace, and the dignity of every human person. Rooted in Sacred Scripture, the teachings of Jesus Christ, and the Church’s moral tradition, it reflects the Church’s effort to respond faithfully to changing social, economic, and political realities. It is not a political ideology but a moral framework that evaluates social structures and actions with Gospel values.

At its heart is the dignity of the human person. The Church teaches that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God and therefore possesses inherent worth, regardless of race, nationality, economic status, or ability. All social, economic, and political systems must be judged by how well they protect and promote this dignity. From this foundational principle flow its themes.

The common good is understood as the sum of social conditions that allow individuals and communities to flourish. The common good requires respect for persons, social well-being and development, and peace and security. Closely related is the principle of solidarity, which emphasizes that human beings are interdependent and morally re-sponsible for one another, especially across national and economic boundaries. Solidarity calls Christians to recognize the suffering of others as their own and to work for justice.

Another central principle is subsidiarity, which holds that decisions should be made at the lowest level possible, consistent with the common good. Larger institutions, such as governments or corporations, should support—not replace—the initiative and responsibility of individuals, families, and local communities. Subsidiarity safeguards human freedom and participation while recognizing the legitimate role of higher authorities when local efforts are insufficient.

The preferential option for the poor calls special attention to the needs of the most vulnerable. While the Church affirms the value of private property and economic initiative, it insists that material goods are ultimately destined for the benefit of all. This leads to principles such as the right to work, just wages, safe working conditions, and the rights of workers to organize. Care for creation has also become an increasingly prominent theme, emphasizing humanity’s responsibility to steward the earth responsibly for future generations.

The development of Catholic Social Teaching was significantly shaped by historical catalysts, particularly the social upheavals brought about by modernity. The Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries marked a critical turning point. Rapid industrialization led to widespread poverty, unsafe labor conditions, child labor, and vast economic inequality. Traditional social structures were disrupted, and new economic systems often prioritized profit over people. In response, Pope Leo XIII issued Rerum Novarum in 1891, widely regarded as the foundational document of modern Catholic Social Teaching. It addressed the rights and duties of capital and labor, defended workers’ rights, and rejected both unrestrained capitalism and revolutionary socialism.

Subsequent global crises further shaped our teaching. The Great Depression, World Wars, and the rise of totalitarian regimes prompted deeper reflection on human rights, political authority, and international cooperation. After World War II, the horrors of genocide and mass violence led the Church to emphasize universal human rights and global solidarity, as seen in Pope John XXIII’s Pacem in Terris (1963).

The Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) marked another major catalyst by calling the Church to read “the signs of the times.” Its pastoral constitution Gaudium et Spes engaged contemporary issues such as economic justice, peace, and the role of the Church in the modern world. Later popes and papal documents addressed decolonization, globalization, technological change, and environmental degradation.

Our living tradition integrates timeless moral principles with concrete historical realities. Born from the Church’s encounter with social injustice and human suffering, her teaching continues to challenge believers to build a world rooted in dignity, solidarity, justice, and love. This is our contribution to the often divisive modern dialogue with unchanging principles based on God, his creation, and his desire to redeem all of us.

The Lord be with you,