Rerum Novarum: On the Condition of the Working Classes

by Pope Leo XIII

Rerum novarum (from its first two words, Latin for "of revolutionary change"), or Rights and Duties of Capital and Labor, is an encyclical issued by Pope Leo XIII on 15 May 1891. It was an open letter, passed to all Catholic bishops, that addressed the condition of the working classes.

It discussed the relationships and mutual duties between labor and capital, as well as government and its citizens. Of primary concern was the need for some amelioration of "The misery and wretchedness pressing so unjustly on the majority of the working class." It supported the rights of labor to form unions, rejected socialism and unrestricted capitalism, whilst affirming the right to private property.

"Rerum Novarum" is considered a foundational text of modern Catholic social teaching. Many of the positions in Rerum novarum were supplemented by later encyclicals, in particular Pius XI's Quadragesimo anno (1931), John XXIII's Mater et magistra (1961), and John Paul II's Centesimus annus (1991).

Genres: Religion, Catholic, Theology, Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Nonfiction

56 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 1891

About the author

Pope Leo XIII (Italian: Leone XIII), born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci to an Italian comital family, reigned as Pope from 20 February 1878 to his death in 1903. He was the oldest pope (reigning until the age of 93), and had the third longest pontificate, behind that of Pope Pius IX (his immediate predecessor) and John Paul II. He was the most recent pontiff to date to take the pontifical name of "Leo" upon being elected to the pontificate until 2025.

He is well known for his intellectualism, the development of social teachings with his famous papal encyclical [Book: Rerum novarum] and his attempts to define the position of the Catholic Church with regard to modern thinking. He influenced Roman Catholic Mariology and promoted both the rosary and the scapular.

Leo XIII issued a record of eleven Papal encyclicals on the rosary earning him the title as the "Rosary Pope". In addition, he approved two new Marian scapulars and was the first pope to fully embrace the concept of Mary as Mediatrix. He was the first pope to never have held any control over the Papal States, after they were dissolved by 1870. He was briefly buried in the grottos of Saint Peter's Basilica before his remains were later transferred to the Basilica of Saint John Lateran.

Reviews

[Ray LaManna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published in 1891, this is the foundational text of Catholic social thought. Pope Leo makes a strong case for the "preferential option for the poor," a concept which has had a major impact in the 20th and 21st centuries. He also encouraged the workers' emerging union movement. It was good rereading this very important and seminal text.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in 1891, this papal encyclical discusses the problems of workers in the modern world (which was, at the time of this letter's writing, the transition from an agricultural to an industrialized economy). Pope Leo's letter could have been written yesterday since he was discussing issues like private property, the rights of workers, the obligations of the wealthy, and the importance of voluntary organizations in Europe and the United States.

I found much of what the Pope said making perfect sense, even now, more than 100 years later. Pope Leo essentially dismissed socialism at being unnatural since men have a God given right to own property and dispose of the fruits of their labor as they see fit. Leo XIII also wrote quite compellingly about the responsibility of those of means toward their fellow man, and about essential fair treatment of workers was. Much of what the Pope discussed echoed my own thinking about these issues, and I found myself wishing that both Tea Partiers and Occupiers would read the Pope's very thoughtful examination of issues that still vex and divide us today. The primacy of the family, the necessity of prudent spending, the morality of paying a fair wage, and the importance of labor unions for the working classes...all while defending the rights of the wealthy and denying state-sponsored redistribution. Pope Leo even called for a government sponsored safety net as a last resort for those who fall upon hard times. Rerum Novarum is highly readable and quite insightful.

Pope Leo, it should be pointed out, was deeply critical of free-market capitalism, rightly recognizing that--in the absence of guard rails--the machine of capitalism would careen out of control and bring our entire economic system down (fairly prescient in the light of 1928 and 2007). One of the more compelling sections of the letter talked about how workers should not be caught in a race to the bottom with regard to earnings, and should be paid what has come to be called a living wage.

I am looking forward to reading more of the Catholic social encyclicals. I have read about them often enough; now it's time to go to the source. There is much food for thought here, as well as much to drive both the left and the right political wings insane.

[W. Littlejohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some parts were excellent, some parts made me skeptical (the too-willing adoption of an essentially Lockean view of private property, the too-willing faith in states to enact beneficial measures, etc.), but whatever you think of it, it's a must-read for anyone thinking about faith, politics, and economics in modernity.

Crucial line: "If through necessity or fear of a worse evil the workman accept harder conditions because an employer or contractor will afford him no better, he is made the victim of force and injustice."

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bold in its declaration of the right to a living family wage and its endorsement of unions, Rerum Novarum stands up quite well. It is a pleasure to read Leo's full-throated belief in the importance and efficacy of the Church in economic and social affairs - even as he clearly and repeatedly notes that man's ultimate good is to live eternally with God.

[Melissa Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love being Catholic. I'm so grateful for the wisdom of the Church, the universal sacrament of salvation. We are so blessed to have so many faithful people who came before us who we can learn from. Learning from Pope Leo XIII has me feeling really excited for Pope Leo XIV!!

[Stan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lucid and cogent explanation of Christian principles regarding capital and labor. There is some language related to the Catholic Church which does not fall within my Protestant beliefs, but one should not get distracted by that when reading this document. Pope Leo XIII wrote this in the late 1890's against the then rising idea of socialism. He does not argue for a pure capitalist system where market determines wages, but lays out a Biblical view of what wages must be in order to assure a self-preserving quality of life for the laborer. In short, he argues not for a minimum wage, but for a living wage, though not utilizing either of these terms. Absolutely a necessary read these days! Grab a copy, which you can find online for free, and read it carefully, considering deeply the points he makes.

[Friar Stebin John Capuchin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an Encyclical letter written by Pope Leo XIII. He wrote this encyclical to address the issues of which faced by the common people of those days. The Marxian views and their influence create a great evil among the people. This encyclical openly spoke about those issues and made a clear idea about what should be done to create a better world for the people.

[Jesús · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though some people see Pope Leo XIII as the author of what's called the 'Social Doctrine of the Church', to me it's just the opposite, it always sounded more like a criticism of socialism. Everyone can draw their own conclusions.

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Especially recommended for people under the misconception that the Church operates under the principles of socialism, or that the State has no duties towards the citizens.

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this groundbreaking Encyclical as a college student many years ago since it is the foundational document on the Catholic Church's social teaching. Upon the election Pope Leo XIV and his obvious admiration of Leo XIII, I decided to read it again. Although some of the specifics are certainly dated--it was written 134 years ago--its message is still highly relevant.

[Stephan Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

The entire time I was reading this I kept thinking to myself: "There is nothing new under the sun."

WOW! This is a powerful document!

This work has something to ruffle anybody's feathers.
Pope Leo XIII points out the disparity between the rich and the poor, and offers his solution.

Socialists won't like it because he vigorously defends private property.
Feminists won't like it because he very clearly defines gender roles in the workplace and the family.
Animal activists won't like it because he puts man above the animals, as a higher creation.
Plutocrats and the wealthy won't like it because it clearly defines their responsibilities to the impoverished and destitute.
Corrupt government officials won't like it because he clearly states: "To the State, the interests of all are equal, whether high or low."
Strong union workers won't like it because it defines clear responsibilities of workers to employers.
People who think marriage is obsolete won't like it as he puts marriage and family units into a category of natural law.
Students will describe it with many seldom used political terms ending in "ism" and dismiss it as unimportant with a wave of a wise, knowing hand that has been on this earth for a full two decades - after skimming it for keywords rather than wasting time reading it.

Pope Leo XIII draws extensively from Thomas Aquinas, especially from Summa Theologica for his arguments.
Regardless of what anyone thinks of the document itself, his conclusion rings true today as it did in 1891.
"If human society is to be healed now, in no other way can it be healed save by a return to Christian life and Christian institutions." And "Since religion alone can avail to destroy evil at its root, all men should be persuaded that main thing needful is to re-establish Christian morals, apart from which all the plans and devices of the wisest will prove of little avail."

Interesting, this is the same conclusion made by the author who penned the words I began this review with: "The last word, when all is heard: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this concerns all humankind; because God will bring to judgment every work, with all its hidden qualities, whether good or bad."

[Josiah Hasbrouck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leo presents what I think is a fairly balanced economic model, recognizing the value of private property and encouraging charity and cooperation between classes, especially within the Church.
UPDATE UPON REREADING 3 YEARS LATER: still based

[cherry]

8/25/2022
WHY did I add this to my goodreads lmao

[Eliz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how it quickly delineated what is necessary to protect workers, avoid a large divide between the classes, foster true brotherhood among the classes, and how the sabbath must be honored. Although written in 1891, only one thing felt slightly outdated and like it could use some more building out since things have inevitably changed since then. It offered some comments on the kinds of work best suited for women to use their gifts; however now women are exploring all kinds of gifts so I would love a little addendum from Pope Leo 13th at the end offering some current insight on how women can best navigate and use their gifts in the workplace (which can be outside the home, inside the home, or a combo of both). Maybe Pope Leo 14th will deliver!

[Daniel J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful encyclical touches on socialism, the working class, men as fathers, the dignity of the work, the human right to private property, and so much more. It is something that is so relevant to our time and it was only written in 1891! I highly recommend, it’s good for talking about faith and politics.

[Ben Geiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, my first Encyclical. A good reminder of how to take care of our money.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read on Economics For Catholics.

Two extremely important take aways for today;
1. Economics isn't a self regulating system that operates like the laws of physics. Economic systems are moral questions. Therefore Capitalism and Communism which both believe the laws of economics, i.e. the immutable bylaws of supply and demand transcend morality, are defunct.

2. We must have the right of freedom of association and are strongly urged as Catholics, to use this right to form Catholic workers and other similar association resembling the old working mans guilds.

[Benjamin Stahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A timely publication from the Vatican, regarding the increasingly harsh treatment of workers by their industrial employers, but also the rise of Marxist ideology, which, quite rightly, the Church felt compelled to warn the people against. Three stars for actual enjoyment, one extra star allowed for its historical importance.

[Pedro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Depois de muitos anos citando a Encíclica sem ter lido toda finalmente li. Impressiona muito o fato de que em 1891 o Papa Leão XIII tivesse previsto todo um panorama social que ainda no século XXI é revolucionário.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning of the distributist movement. The Pope was able to give a fairly thorough overview of the Catholic position on economics, and what was/is wrong with both socialism and capitalism.

[Ján Pastorek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Niektoré argumenty mi jednoducho prišli slabé. Inak je to pekné poukázanie na chybné predpoklady a dôsledky komunistického manifestu.

Je vidno že je tam tradícia od Aristotela cez Akvinského.

[Giulio Ciacchini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Per commentare un'opera di questo tipo non si può prescindere dal considerare l'anno di stesura.
Infatti si parla del lontano 1891, una società completamente diversa da quella odierna.
Un società industriale dove i temi trattati da Leone XIII erano davvero "Rerum Novarum": si affrontano le "cose", tematiche completamente nuove.
Per la prima volta la Chiesa cattolica prese posizione in ordine alle questioni sociali e fondò la moderna dottrina sociale della Chiesa.
"L'originalità dell'enciclica risiede quindi nella sua mediazione: il Pontefice, ponendosi esattamente a metà strada fra le parti, ammonisce la classe operaia affinché non dia sfogo alla propria rabbia attraverso inefficaci idee di rivoluzione, di invidia e odio verso i ricchi, e chiede ai padroni di mitigare gli atteggiamenti verso i dipendenti, da non trattare come schiavi. L'auspicio è che fra le parti sociali vi siano accordi e collaborazioni nella questione sociale, ammettendo associazioni «sia di soli operai sia miste di operai e padroni» per la reciproca tutela dei diritti."
Inoltre Papa Leone XIII afferma il diritto naturale degli individui alla proprietà privata, sottolineando che questo diritto è sancito dalla legge divina e che deve essere rispettato e tutelato dalla società e dalle istituzioni. Egli ritiene che la proprietà privata sia essenziale per garantire la libertà individuale, la dignità umana e la realizzazione personale.

In particolare, mi ha colpito il richiamo al non rifuggire dalla "naturale" diversità insita nella società umana: una chiara critica dell'odierna cultura woke, la cultura vittimistica, che vorrebbe appiattire tutti sullo stesso piano.

Si stabilisca dunque in primo luogo questo principio, che si deve sopportare la condizione propria dell'umanità: togliere dal mondo le disparità sociali, è cosa impossibile. Lo tentano, è vero, i socialisti, ma ogni tentativo contro la natura delle cose riesce inutile. Poiché la più grande varietà esiste per natura tra gli uomini: non tutti posseggono lo stesso ingegno, la stessa solerzia, non la sanità, non le forze in pari grado: e da queste inevitabili differenze nasce di necessità la differenza del- le condizioni sociali. E ciò torna a vantaggio sia dei privati che del civile consorzio, perché la vita sociale abbisogna di attitudini varie e di uffici diversi, e l'impulso principale, che muove gli uomini ad esercitare tali uffici è la disparità di stato.

Infine la "Rerum Novarum" riconosce il ruolo legittimo dello Stato nell'intervenire nell'economia per proteggere i diritti dei cittadini e promuovere il bene comune. Tuttavia, il documento sottolinea anche i limiti del potere statale e l'importanza del principio di sussidiarietà, che implica che le funzioni pubbliche dovrebbero essere svolte al livello più vicino possibile ai cittadini.

[OSCAR · Rating 2 out of 5]

El ascenso al solio pontificio de León XIV levantó polvareda, porque su nombre aludía aparentemente al Papa de la justicia social. Claro, los libertarios dijeron que "Rerum Novarum" era la certificación por parte de la iglesia del liberalismo económico. Incluso, algunos de sus corifeos salieron a defender el documento y mostrar la moderación del nuevo pontífice frente a su antecesor, considerado "rojo". Este contraste resultaba además de absurdo, desproporcionado, teniendo en cuenta que el nuevo pontífice apenas lleva cien días en la silla petrina.

Lo que es cierto es que "Rerum Novarum" resulta un documento molesto porque no encaja ni en el libertarianismo ni en el socialismo. El Papa León XIII señaló la validez de la propiedad privada, sin embargo, basado en ese aserto, el pontífice defendió el derecho de los trabajadores a un salario justo, a la asociación, pero, sobre todo, subrayó la necesidad de que, y esto se olvida incluso en la iglesia romana hodierna, de no abandonar el cuidado pastoral y la instrucción religiosa de los fieles obreros. El documento no era una defensa de los obreros en tanto trabajadores, sino en tanto cristianos.

León XIII mencionó que el abandono de la religión cristiana conllevaba el abandono de los deberes tanto de jefes como de obreros, con lo cual, la situación obrera había llegado a la terrible situación que se vivía a finales del siglo XIX. Como en resto de su Magisterio, Pecci, insistió en la necesidad de regresar a la fe para curar los males sociales y a la vez, de recordar que el cristianismo no era utopía o una serie de buenos deseos, sino una fórmula social exitosa, cuya evidencia fue la Cristiandad medieval.

Si no se lee esta encíclica, las posteriores dedicadas a la doctrina social de la Iglesia se volverán ininteligibles. Lamento no haberla podido leer antes.

[Paul Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My reading of this whole work was long overdue, and I intend to re-read it very soon with pen and notepad in hand. In this prime encyclical on Catholic social teaching, Leo outlines the ideal of a just economy by defining the relation of families to the state, the way in which labor associations ought to be organized, the value of physical labor, the duties of the wealthy, and much more. This encyclical is not so lofty as to be unable to be read, but is so clear in relating the philosophy of virtue to the practicality of economics that it is a very enjoyable work. It will challenge any post-enlightenment Westerner on their view of a fair economy, all from an actually conservative/classical view.

[ricmarrod · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Es la Iglesia la que saca del Evangelio las enseñanzas en virtud de las cuales se puede resolver por completo el conflicto (...); ella la que mejora la situación de los proletarios con muchas utilísimas instituciones; ella la que quiere y desea ardientemente que los pensamientos y las fuerzas de todos los órdenes sociales se alíen con la finalidad de mirar por el bien de la causa obrera de la mejor manera posible".

[Brett Linsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to understand why the new Pope took the name Leo XIV. What I found was a document that feels very fresh despite being over a hundred years old. The doctrines are helpful because they do not map easily onto an American “left/right” political continuum, using completely different logics. I’ve read the new Pope is extremely concerned with the prospects of AI - the concerns in this encyclical involve industry but feel very pertinent with the threats to humanity entailed in AI. Highly recommend reading to understand the goals of the present Pontificate.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate this so much more as an adult. How different are the trade associations Leo called for than the corrupt unions of today!

[Tiago · Rating 5 out of 5]

texto que deu início a doutrina social da igreja, escrita em uma época em que as promessas vazias do socialismo faziam sucesso em meio à população, essa encíclica é uma cura em meio a tempos de crise social e econômica.

[Maria Luz · Rating 5 out of 5]

easy peasy lemon squeezy

[Grace Pezzella]

just covering all my bases