Episode 2: Daniel Gallagher on Doctrinal Development since Pope Leo XIII (July 22, 2025)

In this episode of The Social Doctrine of the Church, co-hosts Michael Vacca and Robert Fastiggi interview Daniel Gallagher on the development of Catholic Social Doctrine since Pope Leo XIII.Many people regard Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical, Rerum Novarum, as the first of the major social encyclicals. What were some of the key teachings of this encyclical?Pius XI wrote his 1931 encyclical, Quadragesimo Anno, 40 years after Rerum Novarum. How did he help to develop Catholic social doctrine in this encyclical? How did St. John XXIII help to develop Catholic social doctrine in his encyclicals, Mater et Magistra (1961) and Pacem in Terris (1963)?What contributions did Vatican II make to Catholic social doctrine?What do you think are the contributions to Catholic social doctrine found in St. Paul VI’s 1967 encyclical, Populorum Progressio? What do you think are the contributions of St. John Paul II to Catholic social doctrine found in his encyclicals, Laborem Exercens (1981), Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (1987), and Centesimus Annus (1991)?What do you think are the contributions to Catholic social doctrine found in Benedict XVI’s 2009 encyclical, Caritas in Veritate?What do you think are the contributions of Pope Francis to Catholic social doctrine found in his encyclicals, Laudato Si' (2015) and Fratelli Tutti (2020)?Are the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992/1997) and The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (2005) good sources for Catholics who wish to understand the key principles and applications of Catholic social doctrine?Why is it important for Catholics to know Catholic social doctrine?