: an encyclical letter
specifically
: a papal letter to the bishops of the church as a whole or to those in one country
Examples of encyclical in a Sentence
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Aryn Baker, Time, 9 May 2025
His most famous encyclical, Rerum Novarum of 1891, addressed workers’ rights and capitalism at the beginning of the industrial revolution and was highlighted by the Vatican in explaining the new pope’s choice of name.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
Sonari Glinton, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Francis' climate encyclical inspired several Catholic climate groups to form, including The Global Catholic Climate Movement, which is now called the Laudato Si' Movement.
—Jeff Brady, NPR, 21 Apr. 2025
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Adjective
His seminal Laudato Si’ encyclical, a 176-page pastoral letter on the religious importance of caring for the planet, sparked a climate movement in the catholic church that echoed through the temples and mosques of the world’s other great religions.
—Aryn Baker, Time, 9 May 2025
His most famous encyclical, Rerum Novarum of 1891, addressed workers’ rights and capitalism at the beginning of the industrial revolution and was highlighted by the Vatican in explaining the new pope’s choice of name.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
Noun
In 1891, Pope Leo XIII issued Rerum Novarum (Of New Things), one of the most important encyclicals in Catholic history.
—Sonari Glinton, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Francis' climate encyclical inspired several Catholic climate groups to form, including The Global Catholic Climate Movement, which is now called the Laudato Si' Movement.
—Jeff Brady, NPR, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encyclical
Cite this Entry
“Encyclical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encyclical. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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