When Cardinal Prevost became Pope in 2025, he chose the name Leo XIV in honor of Leo XIII, who served from 1878 to 1903. There was discussion of the earlier Pope's concerns for workers and fairness and his encyclical Rerum Novarum. The English version of this Latin title is New Things. Although most of what was discussed in 1899 may have been new, it still applies now
First, a quick stylistic note: when I speak of "the Pope" or "Leo" in this piece, I will refer to Leo XIII unless I specifically indicate otherwise.
Rerum Novarum was written in 1891 when the Industrial Revolution was in full bloom. Marxism, Fabianism, and other versions of Socialism were being considered to address the apparent problems in the system. Because this document addressed the issues of that day, it also covers the same issues as they apply now.
Those who hear that Leo XIII stood for the workers and unions may think this is a one-sided document. It is anything but. Instead, it epitomizes a balanced, realistic analysis of human life. He urges everyone to understand and accept reality, be fair and honest in their dealings with others, and understand the relative importance of this world and eternity.
In other words, it is precisely what would be expected of a religious leader who serves God first and does not bend to the political whims of the day.
Pope Leo is, first and foremost, a realist. He knows Paul's comment from 1 Corinthians 12 that we have different roles in the church and life.
all striving against nature is in vain
unequal fortune is a necessary result of unequal condition.
It must be first of all recognized that the condition of things inherent in human affairs must be borne with, for it is impossible to reduce civil society to one dead level.
He also warns against those who argue class differences can be ended.
The great mistake made in regard to the matter now under consideration is to take up with the notion that class is naturally hostile to class, and that the wealthy and the working men are intended by nature to live in mutual conflict.
The overwhelming tone of this document is moderation. Leo calls for balance in pursuing wealth to limit workers' demands and insist they are treated fairly. He recognizes that employers have legitimate requirements that workers must acknowledge. He talks about the right to associate and warns that those associations cannot become enemies of the church.
, the employer must never tax his work people beyond their strength, or employ them in work unsuited to their sex and age. His great and principal duty is to give every one what is just.
He rejects Socialism in all forms. It is a tool of envy and class warfare.
… socialists, working on the poor man's envy of the rich, are striving to do away with private property, and contend that individual possessions should become the common property of all, to be administered by the State or by municipal bodies.
Leo sees private property as one of the ways a worker saves money and keeps it in his family.
when a man engages in remunerative labor, the impelling reason and motive of his work is to obtain property, and thereafter to hold it as his very own.
… For, every man has by nature the right to possess property as his own.
He argues that poverty is a given aspect of life and that the church should and does help alleviate it. He talks about the church's charities and the traits and habits it teaches, which train the poor to have better work habits and manage their money to keep more of it.
He also discusses the proper definition and role of the State.
Among the many and grave duties of rulers who would do their best for the people, the first and chief is to act with strict justice—with that justice which is called distributive—toward each and every class alike.
Pope Leo XIII understood what was happening and what was coming. He saw that when everyone acted without charity and in complete combat mode, we would have what followed. Business and union leaders had to demonize each other and score points. Strikes and lockouts became the norm rather than civil negotiations. Politicians identified with one side or the other, adding to the strife.
Even then, he saw the workers' "societies [were] in the hands of secret leaders, and [were] managed on principles ill-according with Christianity and the public well-being."
Rerum Novarum is a thoughtful document that is as important for our age as it was for the day it was written. I know some of my Protestant friends don't trust anything Roman Catholic, but I urge them to get past that for this. This piece has much Christian charity but no Catholic theology or dogma. Leo XIII is a devout man who loves God, Jesus, and his fellow human beings, sees a world of troubles brewing, and tries to address them.
Sadly, he wrote it a hundred and thirty-four years ago, and the problems haven't changed.