A Pocket Guide to Rerum Novarum: Pope Leo XIII's Landmark Encyclical and Its Application to Our Time

Pope Leo XIV’s concerns about AI’s impact on labor and youth echo the prophetic insights of Pope Leo XIII, whose 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum addressed the social disruptions of the Industrial Revolution. Then, as now, society grappled with inequality, corporate power, and technologies that risk dehumanizing workers.

This special edition of Rerum Novarum includes notes and discussion questions to help readers engage with its enduring wisdom. Pope Leo XIII defends the dignity of work, the rights of individuals and families, the moral value of private property, and the duty of both government and Church to uphold justice.

Ultimately, work is meant to prepare us for Heaven. This foundational Catholic text remains a vital guide for navigating modern challenges—pointing us toward a just society rooted in faith, responsibility, and hope.

Softcover, 161 pages. By Veronica Burchard, and Fr. Lydon. Printed in USA.