On Fraternity & Social Friendship

Pope Francis’s newest encyclical Fratelli Tutti on fraternity and social friendship–could not have come at a better time. The theme of the new encyclical brings to mind the first words Pope Francis said as he greeted the world, Fratelli e sorelle or brothers and sisters. This wide-ranging encyclical explores themes central to Pope Francis’ pontificate and exhorts a world in isolation to build a communion in love. The encyclical’s title is a reference to the writings of Saint Francis and a call to an expansive and profound love for all members of the human family. With a warm fatherly tone and in a spirit of dialogue, Pope Francis calls each of us in this new encyclical to be a part of striving to build bridges with others so that we might share a more peaceful, fraternal future together. In the midst of a worldwide pandemic, social unrest, and widespread division, the Gospel themes the Pope highlights in this new encyclical are sorely needed and a balm for our hurting world.