★★★★★ — An important collection of papal teaching from a pivotal period in modern Catholic history.Pope Leo XIII’s great encyclical letters address some of the most enduring questions of Catholic faith, philosophy, society, and public life. His writings explore the relationship between faith and reason, the authority of the Church, Christian philosophy, social justice, and the responsibilities of individuals, families, and governments.Among his best-known encyclicals are Aeterni Patris, which promoted the study of the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas, and Rerum Novarum, a landmark statement on the rights and duties of workers and employers. Together, these teachings illuminate Leo XIII’s efforts to engage the challenges of the modern world while grounding Catholic thought in its theological and philosophical traditions.A valuable listen for Catholics, students of Church history, and anyone interested in papal documents and the development of modern Catholic social teaching.