Topic summary
Lumen fidei
Papacy
Teachings and writings
Church governance and reform
Social and moral issues
Ecumenism and interfaith relations
Diplomacy and world affairs
Health, death, and legacy
Lumen fidei (The Light of Faith) is the first encyclical of Pope Francis, issued on 29 June 2013, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, and published on 5 July 2013, less than four months after his election to the papacy. It was issued in conjunction with the Year of Faith proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI to be observed from October 2012 to November 2013. It was the first encyclical in the history of the Catholic Church written by two popes, being begun by Pope Benedict XVI and finished by Pope Francis.