Encyclicals

/ɛnˈsɪklɪkəlz/ noun

Definition

Plural of encyclical: multiple official letters from the Pope addressing important matters to the Church's bishops.

Etymology

Plural form of encyclical, maintaining the Greek root enkyklios (circular) with the -s plural suffix.

Kelly Says

Vatican libraries contain centuries of encyclicals—they're basically the historical record of what the Church officially believed at different moments. Scholars study them to understand religious thinking across centuries.

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