Apostolic exhortation
An apostolic exhortation is a magisterial document written by the pope. Some experts regard it as third in importance among papal documents, after apostolic constitutions and encyclicals. Exhortations generally encourage a particular virtue or activity. Apostolic exhortations are frequently issued following a Synod of Bishops, in which case they are known as post-synodal apostolic exhortations. They do not define Church doctrine and are not considered legislative.
Examples of apostolic exhortations
[Pope Pius XII]
[Pope Paul VI]
- Marialis Cultus, Feb. 2, 1974
- Evangelii nuntiandi
[Pope John Paul II]
- Catechesi tradendae
- Familiaris consortio
- Christifideles laici
- Ecclesia in America
- Ecclesia in Asia
- Ecclesia in Europa
- Pastores gregis
[Pope Benedict XVI]
[Pope Francis]
- Evangelii gaudium
- Amoris laetitia
- Gaudete et exsultate
- Christus vivit
- Querida Amazonia, a post-synodal exhortation on the Amazon Region
- Laudate Deum
- C'est la confiance