> [[benxvi-civ-06|← Previous]] | [[caritas-in-veritate-toc|TOC]] # Conclusion 78\. Without God man neither knows which way to go, nor even understands who he is. In the face of the enormous problems surrounding the development of peoples, which almost make us yield to discouragement, we find solace in the sayings of our Lord Jesus Christ, who teaches us: “Apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5) and then encourages us: “I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Mt 28:20). As we contemplate the vast amount of work to be done, we are sustained by our faith that God is present alongside those who come together in his name to work for justice. Paul VI recalled in *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)* that man cannot bring about his own progress unaided, because by himself he cannot establish an authentic humanism. Only if we are aware of our calling, as individuals and as a community, to be part of God's family as his sons and daughters, will we be able to generate a new vision and muster new energy in the service of a truly integral humanism. The greatest service to development, then, is a Christian humanism [157] that enkindles charity and takes its lead from truth, accepting both as a lasting gift from God. Openness to God makes us open towards our brothers and sisters and towards an understanding of life as a joyful task to be accomplished in a spirit of solidarity. On the other hand, ideological rejection of God and an atheism of indifference, oblivious to the Creator and at risk of becoming equally oblivious to human values, constitute some of the chief obstacles to development today. *A humanism which excludes God is an inhuman humanism*. Only a humanism open to the Absolute can guide us in the promotion and building of forms of social and civic life — structures, institutions, culture and *ethos* — without exposing us to the risk of becoming ensnared by the fashions of the moment. Awareness of God's undying love sustains us in our laborious and stimulating work for justice and the development of peoples, amid successes and failures, in the ceaseless pursuit of a just ordering of human affairs. *God's love calls us to move beyond the limited and the ephemeral, it gives us the courage to continue seeking and working for the benefit of all*, even if this cannot be achieved immediately and if what we are able to achieve, alongside political authorities and those working in the field of economics, is always less than we might wish [158]. God gives us the strength to fight and to suffer for love of the common good, because he is our All, our greatest hope. ^benxvi-civ-78 79\. *Development needs Christians with their arms raised towards God* in prayer, Christians moved by the knowledge that truth-filled love, *caritas in veritate*, from which authentic development proceeds, is not produced by us, but given to us. For this reason, even in the most difficult and complex times, besides recognizing what is happening, we must above all else turn to God's love. Development requires attention to the spiritual life, a serious consideration of the experiences of trust in God, spiritual fellowship in Christ, reliance upon God's providence and mercy, love and forgiveness, self-denial, acceptance of others, justice and peace. All this is essential if “hearts of stone” are to be transformed into “hearts of flesh” (Ezek 36:26), rendering life on earth “divine” and thus more worthy of humanity. All this is *of man,* because man is the subject of his own existence; and at the same time it is *of God,* because God is at the beginning and end of all that is good, all that leads to salvation: “the world or life or death or the present or the future, all are yours; and you are Christ's; and Christ is God's” (1 Cor 3:22-23). Christians long for the entire human family to call upon God as “Our Father!” In union with the only-begotten Son, may all people learn to pray to the Father and to ask him, in the words that Jesus himself taught us, for the grace to glorify him by living according to his will, to receive the daily bread that we need, to be understanding and generous towards our debtors, not to be tempted beyond our limits, and to be delivered from evil (cf. Mt 6:9-13). ^benxvi-civ-79 At the conclusion of the *Pauline Year*, I gladly express this hope in the Apostle's own words, taken from the *Letter to the Romans*: “Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honour” (Rom 12:9-10). May the Virgin Mary — proclaimed *Mater Ecclesiae* by Paul VI and honoured by Christians as *Speculum Iustitiae* and *Regina Pacis —* protect us and obtain for us, through her heavenly intercession, the strength, hope and joy necessary to continue to dedicate ourselves with generosity to the task of bringing about the “*development of the whole man and of all men*” [159]. *Given in Rome, at Saint Peter's, on 29 June, the Solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, in the year 2009, the fifth of my Pontificate.* Benedictus Pp. XVI --- [1] Cf. Paul VI, Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)* (26 March 1967), 22: *AAS* 59 (1967), 268; Second Vatican Ecumenical Council*,* Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World *[Gaudium et Spes](http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html)*, 69. [2] *Address for the Day of Development* (23 August 1968): *AAS* 60 (1968), 626-627. [3] Cf. John Paul II,*[Message for the 2002 World Day of Peace](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/messages/peace/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_20011211_xxxv-world-day-for-peace.html)*: *AAS* 94 (2002), 132-140. [4] Cf. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World *[Gaudium et Spes](http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html)*, 26. [5] Cf. John XXIII, Encyclical Letter *[Pacem in Terris](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-xxiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_j-xxiii_enc_11041963_pacem.html)* (11 April 1963): *AAS* 55 (1963), 268-270. [6] Cf. no. 16: *loc. cit.,* 265. [7] Cf. *ibid*., 82: *loc. cit.,* 297. [8] *Ibid*., 42: *loc. cit.,* 278. [9] *Ibid*., 20: *loc. cit.,* 267. [10] Cf. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World *[Gaudium et Spes](http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html)*, 36; Paul VI, Apostolic Letter *[Octogesima Adveniens](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/apost_letters/documents/hf_p-vi_apl_19710514_octogesima-adveniens.html)* (14 May 1971), 4: *AAS* 63 (1971), 403-404; John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Centesimus Annus](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P6.HTM)* [(1 May 1991), 43](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P6.HTM): *AAS* 83 (1991), 847. [11] Paul VI, Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 13: *loc. cit.,* 263-264. [12] Cf. Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace,*[Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#In%20friendly%20dialogue%20with%20all%20branches%20of%20knowledge)*, 76. [13] Cf. Benedict XVI*, [Address at the Inauguration of the Fifth General Conference of the Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2007/may/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20070513_conference-aparecida.html)* (Aparecida, 13 May 2007). [14] Cf. nos. 3-5: *loc. cit.,* 258-260. [15] Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter [*Sollicitudo Rei Socialis* (30 December 1987), 6-7](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0223/__P3.HTM): *AAS* 80 (1988), 517-519. [16] Cf. Paul VI, Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 14: *loc. cit.*, 264. [17] Cf. Benedict XVI*,* Encyclical Letter *[Deus Caritas Est](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est.html)* (25 December 2005), 18: *AAS* 98 (2006), 232. [18] *Ibid*., 6: *loc cit*., 222. [19] Cf. Benedict XVI,*[Christmas Address to the Roman Curia](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2005/december/documents/hf_ben_xvi_spe_20051222_roman-curia.html)*, 22 December 2005. [20] Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Sollicitudo Rei Socialis](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_30121987_sollicitudo-rei-socialis.html)*[, 3](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_30121987_sollicitudo-rei-socialis.html): *loc. cit.*, 515. [21] Cf. *ibid*., 1: *loc. cit*., 513-514. [22] Cf. *ibid*., 3: *loc. cit*., 515. [23] Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Laborem Exercens](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0217/__P4.HTM)* [(14 September 1981), 3](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0217/__P4.HTM): *AAS* 73 (1981), 583-584. [24] Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Centesimus Annus](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P2.HTM)*[, 3](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P2.HTM): *loc. cit.*, 794-796. [25] Cf. Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 3: *loc. cit*., 258. [26] Cf. *ibid*., 34: *loc. cit*., 274. [27] Cf. nos. 8-9: *AAS* 60 (1968), 485-487; Benedict XVI*, [Address to the participants at the International Congress promoted by the Pontifical Lateran University on the fortieth anniversary of Paul VI's Encyclical “Humanae Vitae](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2008/may/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20080510_humanae-vitae.html)”*, 10 May 2008. [28] Cf. Encyclical Letter *[Evangelium Vitae](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031995_evangelium-vitae.html)* (25 March 1995), 93: *AAS* 87 (1995), 507-508. [29] *Ibid*., 101: *loc. cit*., 516-518. [30] No. 29: *AAS* 68 (1976), 25. [31] *Ibid*., 31: *loc. cit*., 26. [32] Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter [*Sollicitudo Rei Socialis*, 41](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0223/__P7.HTM): *loc. cit*., 570-572. [33] Cf. *ibid*.; Id., Encyclical Letter *[Centesimus Annus,](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P3.HTM)* [5](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P3.HTM), [54](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P8.HTM): *loc. cit*., 799, 859-860. [34] No. 15: *loc. cit*., 265. [35] Cf. *ibid*., 2: *loc. cit*., 258; Leo XIII, Encyclical Letter *[Rerum Novarum](https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html)* (15 May 1891): *Leonis XIII P.M. Acta*, XI, Romae 1892, 97-144; John Paul II, Encyclical Letter [*Sollicitudo Rei Socialis*, 8](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0223/__P3.HTM): *loc. cit*., 519-520; Id., Encyclical Letter *[Centesimus Annus](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P3.HTM)*[, 5](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P3.HTM): *loc. cit*., 799. [36] Cf. Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 2, 13: *loc. cit*., 258, 263-264. [37] *Ibid*., 42: *loc. cit*., 278. [38] *Ibid*., 11: *loc. cit*., 262; cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter [*Centesimus Annus*, 25](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P5.HTM): *loc. cit*., 822-824. [39] Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 15: *loc. cit*., 265. [40] *Ibid*., 3: *loc. cit*., 258. [41] *Ibid*., 6: *loc. cit*., 260. [42] *Ibid.,* 14: *loc. cit*., 264. [43] *Ibid*.; cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Centesimus Annus](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P8.HTM)*[, 53-62](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P8.HTM): *loc. cit*., 859-867; Id., Encyclical Letter *[R](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0218/__PE.HTM) [edemptor Hominis](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0218/__PE.HTM)* [(4 March 1979), 13-14](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0218/__PE.HTM): *AAS* 71 (1979), 282-286. [44] Cf. Paul VI, Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 12: *loc. cit*., 262-263. [45] Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World *[Gaudium et Spes](http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html)*, 22. [46] Paul VI, Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 13: *loc. cit*., 263-264. [47] Cf. Benedict XVI, *[Address to the Participants in the Fourth National Congress of the Church in Italy](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2006/october/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20061019_convegno-verona.html),* Verona, 19 October 2006. [48] Cf. Paul VI, Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 16: *loc. cit*., 265. [49] *Ibid*. [50] Benedict XVI, *[Address to young people at Barangaroo](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2008/july/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20080717_barangaroo.html)*, Sydney, 17 July 2008. [51] Paul VI, Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 20: *loc. cit*., 267. [52] *Ibid*., 66: *loc. cit*., 289-290. [53] *Ibid*., 21: *loc. cit*., 267-268. [54] Cf. nos. 3, 29, 32: *loc. cit*., 258, 272, 273. [55] Cf. Encyclical Letter*, [Sollicitudo Rei Socialis](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0223/__P5.HTM)*[, 28](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0223/__P5.HTM): *loc. cit*., 548-550. [56] Paul VI, Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 9: *loc. cit*., 261-262. [57] Cf. Encyclical Letter [*Sollicitudo Rei Socialis*, 20](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0223/__P4.HTM): *loc. cit*., 536-537. [58] Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Centesimus Annus](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P5.HTM)*[, 22-29](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P5.HTM): *loc. cit*., 819-830. [59] Cf. nos. 23, 33: *loc. cit*., 268-269, 273-274. [60] Cf. *loc. cit*., 135. [61] Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World *[Gaudium et Spes](http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html)*, 63. [62] Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Cent](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P5.HTM) [esimus Annus](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P5.HTM)*[, 24](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P5.HTM): *loc. cit*., 821-822. [63] Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Veritatis Splendor](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0222/__P4.HTM)* [(6 August 1993), 33](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0222/__P4.HTM), [46](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0222/__P5.HTM), [51](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0222/__P5.HTM): *AAS* 85 (1993), 1160, 1169-1171, 1174-1175; Id., *Address to the Assembly of the United Nations*, 5 October 1995, 3. [64] Cf. Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 47: *loc. cit*., 280-281; John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Sollicitudo Rei Socialis](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0223/__P7.HTM)*[, 42](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0223/__P7.HTM): *loc. cit*., 572-574. [65] Cf. Benedict XVI, *[Message for the 2007 World Food Day](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/messages/food/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20071004_world-food-day-2007.html)*: *AAS* 99 (2007), 933-935. [66] Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Evangelium Vitae](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031995_evangelium-vitae.html)*, 18, 59, 63-64: *loc. cit*., 419-421, 467-468, 472-475. [67] Cf. Benedict XVI, *[Message for the 2007 World Day of Peace](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/messages/peace/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20061208_xl-world-day-peace.html)*, 5. [68] Cf. John Paul II,*[Message for the 2002 World Day of Peace](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/messages/peace/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_20011211_xxxv-world-day-for-peace.html)*, 4-7, 12-15: *AAS* 94 (2002), 134-136, 138-140; Id.,*[Message for the 2004 World Day of Peace](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/messages/peace/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_20031216_xxxvii-world-day-for-peace.html)*, 8: *AAS* 96 (2004), 119; Id.,*[Message for the 2005 World Day of Peace](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/messages/peace/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_20041216_xxxviii-world-day-for-peace.html)*, 4: *AAS* 97 (2005), 177-178; Benedict XVI, *[Message for the 2006 World Day of Peace](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/messages/peace/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20051213_xxxix-world-day-peace.html)*, 9-10: *AAS* 98 (2006), 60-61; Id.,*[Message for the 2007 World Day of Peace](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/messages/peace/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20061208_xl-world-day-peace.html)*, 5, 14: *loc. cit*., 778, 782-783. [69] Cf. John Paul II, *[Message for the 2002 World Day of Peace](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/messages/peace/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_20011211_xxxv-world-day-for-peace.html),* 6: *loc. cit.*, 135; Benedict XVI, *[Message for the 2006 World Day of Peace](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/messages/peace/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20051213_xxxix-world-day-peace.html)*, 9-10: *loc. cit.*, 60-61. [70] Cf. Benedict XVI, *[Homily at Mass](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/homilies/2006/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20060912_regensburg.html),* Islinger Field, Regensburg*,* 12 September 2006. [71] Cf. Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter *[Deus Caritas Est](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est.html)*, 1: *loc. cit*., 217-218. [72] John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Sollicitudo Rei Socialis](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0223/__P5.HTM)*[, 28](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0223/__P5.HTM): *loc. cit*., 548-550. [73] Paul VI, Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 19: *loc. cit*., 266-267. [74] *Ibid*., 39: *loc. cit*., 276-277. [75] *Ibid*., 75: *loc. cit*., 293-294. [76] Cf. Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter *[Deus Caritas Est](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est.html)*, 28: *loc. cit*., 238-240. [77] John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Centesimus Annus](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P8.HTM)*[, 59](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P8.HTM): *loc. cit*., 864. [78] Cf. Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 40, 85: *loc. cit*., 277, 298-299. [79] *Ibid*., 13: *loc. cit*., 263-264. [80] Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Fides et Ratio](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0216/__PG.HTM)* [(14 September 1998), 85](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0216/__PG.HTM): *AAS* 91 (1999), 72-73. [81] Cf. *ibid*., 83: *loc. cit.,* 70-71. [82] Benedict XVI, *[Address at the University of Regensburg](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2006/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20060912_university-regensburg.html)*, 12 September 2006. [83] Cf. Paul VI, Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 33: *loc. cit*., 273-274. [84] Cf. John Paul II, *[Message for the 2000 World Day of Peace](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/messages/peace/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_08121999_xxxiii-world-day-for-peace.html)*, 15: *AAS* 92 (2000), 366. [85] *[Catechism of the Catholic Church](http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P1C.HTM)*[, 407](http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P1C.HTM); cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Centesimus Annus](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P5.HTM)*[, 25](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P5.HTM): *loc. cit.,* 822-824. [86] Cf. no. 17: *AAS* 99 (2007), 1000. [87] Cf. *ibid*., 23: *loc. cit*., 1004-1005. [88] Saint Augustine expounds this teaching in detail in his dialogue on free will (*De libero arbitrio*, II, 3, 8ff.). He indicates the existence within the human soul of an “internal sense”. This sense consists in an act that is fulfilled outside the normal functions of reason, an act that is not the result of reflection, but is almost instinctive, through which reason, realizing its transient and fallible nature, admits the existence of something eternal, higher than itself, something absolutely true and certain. The name that Saint Augustine gives to this interior truth is at times the name of God (*Confessions* X, 24, 35; XII, 25, 35; *De libero arbitrio* II, 3, 8), more often that of Christ (*De magistro* 11:38; *Confessions* VII, 18, 24; XI, 2, 4). [89] Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter *[Deus Caritas Est](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est.html)*, 3: *loc. cit.,* 219. [90] Cf. no. 49: *loc. cit*., 281. [91] John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Centesimus Annus](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P5.HTM)*[, 28](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P5.HTM): *loc. cit*., 827-828. [92] Cf. no. 35: *loc. cit*., 836-838. [93] Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter [*Sollicitudo Rei Socialis*, 38](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0223/__P6.HTM): *loc. cit*., 565-566. [94] No. 44: *loc. cit*., 279. [95] Cf. *ibid*., 24: *loc. cit*., 269. [96] Cf. Encyclical Letter [*Centesimus Annus*, 36](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P6.HTM): *loc. cit*., 838-840. [97] Cf. Paul VI, Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 24: *loc. cit*., 269. [98] Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter [*Centesimus Annus*, 32](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P6.HTM): *loc. cit*., 832-833; Paul VI, Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 25: *loc. cit*., 269-270. [99] John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Laborem Exercens](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0217/__PP.HTM)*[, 24](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0217/__PP.HTM): *loc. cit*., 637-638. [100] *Ibid*., 15: *loc. cit*., 616-618. [101] Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 27: *loc. cit*., 271. [102] Cf. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Instruction on Christian Freedom and Liberation *[Libertatis Conscientia](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19860322_freedom-liberation_en.html)* (22 March 1987), 74: *AAS* 79 (1987), 587. [103] Cf. John Paul II, Interview published in the Catholic daily newspaper *La Croix*, 20 August 1997. [104] John Paul II,*[Address to the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/speeches/2001/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20010427_pc-social-sciences.html)*, 27 April 2001. [105] Paul VI, Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 17: *loc. cit*., 265-266. [106] Cf. John Paul II, *[Message for the 2003 World Day of Peace](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/messages/peace/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_20021217_xxxvi-world-day-for-peace.html)*, 5: *AAS* 95 (2003), 343. [107] Cf. *ibid*. [108] Cf. Benedict XVI,*[Message for the 2007 World Day of Peace](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/messages/peace/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20061208_xl-world-day-peace.html)*, 13: *loc. cit*., 781-782. [109] Paul VI, Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 65: *loc. cit*., 289. [110] Cf. *ibid*., 36-37: *loc. cit*., 275-276. [111] Cf. *ibid*., 37: *loc. cit*., 275-276. [112] Cf. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People *[Apostolicam Actuositatem](http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19651118_apostolicam-actuositatem_en.html)*, 11. [113] Cf. Paul VI, Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 14: *loc. cit.*, 264; John Paul II, Encyclical Letter [*Centesimus Annus*, 32](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P6.HTM): *loc. cit*., 832-833. [114] Paul VI, Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 77: *loc. cit*., 295. [115] John Paul II, *[Message for the 1990 World Day of Peace](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/messages/peace/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_19891208_xxiii-world-day-for-peace.html)*, 6: *AAS* 82 (1990), 150. [116] Heraclitus of Ephesus (Ephesus, c. 535 B.C. - c. 475 B.C.), Fragment 22B124, in H. Diels and W. Kranz, *Die Fragmente der Vorsokratiker*, Weidmann, Berlin, 1952, 6(th) ed. [117] Pontifical Council for Justice And Peace,*[Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#I.%20BIBLICAL%20ASPECTS)*, 451-487. [118] Cf. John Paul II,*[Message for the 1990 World Day of Peace](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/messages/peace/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_19891208_xxiii-world-day-for-peace.html)*, 10: *loc. cit*., 152-153. [119] Paul VI, Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 65: *loc. cit*., 289. [120] Benedict XVI,*[Message for the 2008 World Day of Peace](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/messages/peace/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20071208_xli-world-day-peace.html)*, 7: *AAS* 100 (2008), 41. [121] Cf. Benedict XVI,*[Address to the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2008/april/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20080418_un-visit.html)*, New York, 18 April 2008. [122] Cf. John Paul II,*[Message for the 1990 World Day of Peace](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/messages/peace/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_19891208_xxiii-world-day-for-peace.html)*, 13: *loc. cit.,* 154-155. [123] John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Centesimus Annus](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P6.HTM)*[, 36](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P6.HTM): *loc. cit*., 838-840. [124] *Ibid*., 38: *loc. cit*., 840-841; Benedict XVI,*[Message for the 2007 World Day of Peace](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/messages/peace/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20061208_xl-world-day-peace.html)*, 8: *loc. cit*., 779. [125] Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Centesimus Annus](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P6.HTM)*[, 41](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P6.HTM): *loc. cit*., 843-845. [126] Cf. *ibid.* [127] Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Evangelium Vitae](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031995_evangelium-vitae.html)*, 20: *loc. cit*., 422-424. [128] Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html),* 85: *loc. cit*., 298-299. [129] Cf. John Paul II,*[Message for the 1998 World Day of Peace](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/messages/peace/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_08121997_xxxi-world-day-for-peace.html)*, 3: *AAS* 90 (1998), 150;*[Address to the Members of the Vatican Foundation “Centesimus Annus – Pro Pontifice”](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/speeches/1998/may/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_09051998_fondazione-cent-annus.html),* 9 May 1998, 2;*[Address to the Civil Authorities and Diplomatic Corps of Austria](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/speeches/1998/june/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19980620_austria-autorita.html),* 20 June 1998, 8;*[Message to the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/speeches/2000/apr-jun/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20000505_sergio-zaninelli.html),* 5 May 2000, 6. [130] According to Saint Thomas *“ratio partis contrariatur rationi personae”, In III Sent.,* d. 5, q. 3, a. 2; also *“Homo non ordinatur ad communitatem politicam secundum se totum et secundum omnia sua”, Summa Theologiae* I-II, q. 21, a. 4, ad 3. [131] Cf. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church *[Lumen Gentium](http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html),* 1. [132] Cf. John Paul II, *[Address to the Sixth Public Session of the Pontifical Academies of Theology and of Saint Thomas Aquinas](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/speeches/2001/november/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20011108_pontificie-accademie.html),* 8 November 2001, 3. [133] Cf. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Declaration on the Unicity and Salvific Universality of Jesus Christ and the Church *[Dominus Iesus](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20000806_dominus-iesus_en.html)* (6 August 2000)*,* 22: *AAS* 92 (2000), 763-764; Id.,*[Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding the participation of Catholics in political life](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20021124_politica_en.html)* (24 November 2002)*,* 8: *AAS* 96 (2004), 369-370. [134] Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter *[Spe Salvi](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi.html)*, 31: *loc. cit.*, 1010;*[Address to the Participants in the Fourth National Congress of the Church in Italy](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2006/october/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20061019_convegno-verona.html),* Verona, 19 October 2006. [135] John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Centesimus Annus](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P3.HTM)*[, 5](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P3.HTM): *loc. cit*., 798-800; Benedict XVI,*[Address to the Participants in the Fourth National Congress of the Church in Italy](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2006/october/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20061019_convegno-verona.html),* Verona, 19 October 2006. [136] No. 12. [137] Cf. Pius XI, Encyclical Letter *[Quadragesimo Anno](https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_19310515_quadragesimo-anno.html)* (15 May 1931): *AAS* 23 (1931), 203; John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Centesimus Annus](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P7.HTM)*[, 48](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P7.HTM): *loc. cit*., 852-854;*[Catechism of the Catholic Church](http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P6G.HTM)*[, 1883](http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P6G.HTM). [138] Cf. John XXIII, Encyclical Letter *[Pacem in Terris](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-xxiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_j-xxiii_enc_11041963_pacem.html)*, *loc. cit*., 274. [139] Cf. Paul VI, Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html),* 10, 41: *loc. cit*., 262, 277-278. [140] Cf. Benedict XVI, *A [ddress to Members of the International Theological Commission](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2007/october/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20071005_cti.html),* 5 October 2007;*[Address to the Participants in the International Congress on Natural Moral Law](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2007/february/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20070212_pul.html),* 12 February 2007. [141] Cf. Benedict XVI,*[Address to the Bishops of Thailand on their “Ad Limina” Visit](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2008/may/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20080516_bishops-thailand.html),* 16 May 2008. [142] Cf. Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, Instruction *[Erga Migrantes Caritas Christi](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/migrants/documents/rc_pc_migrants_doc_20040514_erga-migrantes-caritas-christi_en.html)* (3 May 2004): *AAS* 96 (2004), 762-822. [143] John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Laborem Exercens,](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0217/__P9.HTM)* [8](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0217/__P9.HTM): *loc. cit*., 594-598. [144] Jubilee of Workers,*[Greeting after Mass](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/speeches/2000/apr-jun/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20000501_jub-workers.html),* 1 May 2000. [145] Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Centesimus Annus,](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P6.HTM)* [3](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0214/__P6.HTM) 6: *loc. cit*., 838-840. [146] Cf. Benedict XVI, *[Address to the Members of the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2008/april/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20080418_un-visit.html),* New York, 18 April 2008. [147] Cf. John XXIII, Encyclical Letter *[Pacem in Terris](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-xxiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_j-xxiii_enc_11041963_pacem.html), loc. cit*., 293; Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace,*[Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html),* 441. [148] Cf. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World,*[Gaudium et Spes](http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html),* 82. [149] Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter [*Sollicitudo Rei Socialis,* 43](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0223/__P7.HTM): *loc. cit*., 574-575. [150] Paul VI, Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html),* 41: *loc. cit*., 277-278; cf. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World *[Gaudium et Spes](http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html),* 57. [151] Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter *[Laborem Exercens,](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0217/__P6.HTM)* [5](http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0217/__P6.HTM): *loc. cit*., 586-589. [152] Cf. Paul VI, Apostolic Letter *[Octogesima Adveniens](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/apost_letters/documents/hf_p-vi_apl_19710514_octogesima-adveniens.html),* 29: *loc. cit*., 420. [153] Cf. Benedict XVI, *[Address to the Participants in the Fourth National Congress of the Church in Italy](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2006/october/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20061019_convegno-verona.html),* Verona, 19 October 2006; Id.,*[Homily at Mass](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/homilies/2006/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20060912_regensburg.html),* Islinger Field, Regensburg, 12 September 2006. [154] Cf. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Instruction on certain bioethical questions *[Dignitas Personae](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20081208_dignitas-personae_en.html)* (8 September 2008): *AAS* 100 (2008)*,* 858-887. [155] Cf. Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html)*, 3: *loc. cit*., 258. [156] Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World *[Gaudium et Spes](http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html),* 14. [157] Cf. Paul VI, Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html),* 42: *loc. cit.,* 278. [158] Cf. Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter *[Spe Salvi](https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi.html),* 35: *loc. cit*., 1013-1014. [159] Paul VI, Encyclical Letter *[Populorum Progressio](https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html),* 42: *loc. cit.,* 278. © Copyright 2009 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana --- ![[maps/bibliography#^biblio-benxvi-civ]] > [[benxvi-civ-06|← Previous]] | [[caritas-in-veritate-toc|TOC]]