EN
Caritas in veritate was the first social encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI. It was published on July 7th, 2009. It was originally planned for 2007, to mark Populorum Progressio’s 40th anniversary, but publication was delayed. The encyclical sparked much discussion among political leaders, scientists, and senior business leaders and bankers. The work also attracted criticism. Secularists in Italy did not appreciate the intervention by the Pope in the worldly affairs, Catholic capitalists were disturbed by some of the left-leaning themes and the call for a stronger political authority in the world. The encyclical is concerned with the problems of the global development and progress towards the common good. Pope Benedict XVI calls for the establishment of an effective global authority “to manage the global economy; to revive economies hit by the crisis; to avoid any deterioration of the present crisis and the greater imbalances that would result.” The Pope wishes to see reform and strengthening of the United Nations and the international monetary system, including for poorer nations to be given a louder voice on the international bodies.