Pope Francis' First Encyclical to Be Released July 5

The encyclical, begun by Benedict XVI and finished by Pope Francis, is entitled Lumen Fidei, which means 'The Light of Faith.'

Pope Francis greets the faithful on May 8.
Pope Francis greets the faithful on May 8. (photo: Stephen Driscoll/CNA)

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis’ first encyclical will be published on Friday, July 5, the Vatican has announced.

The encyclical was begun by Benedict XVI and finished by Pope Francis in recent months. It is entitled Lumen Fidei, which means “The Light of Faith.”

The papal document will be presented at a press conference by Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation of Bishops, Archbishop Gerhard Müller, prefect for the Doctrine of the Faith and Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization.

Miniature from a 13th-century Passio Sancti Georgii (Verona).

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