| Caritas in veritate Latin for 'Charity in truth' Encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI | |
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| Signature date | 29 June 2009 |
| Subject | Integral human development in charity and truth |
| Pages | 127 |
| Number | 3 of 3 of the pontificate |
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| Part of a series on the |
| Theology of Pope Benedict XVI |
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| Part of a series on |
| Catholic social teaching |
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| Overview |
 Catholicism portal |
Caritas in veritate (English: "Charity in truth") is the third and last[1] encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI, and his only social encyclical.[2] It was signed on 29 June 2009[2] and was published on 7 July 2009. It was initially published in Italian, English, French, German, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanish.
The encyclical is concerned with the problems of global development and progress towards the common good, arguing that both Love and Truth are essential elements of an effective response. The work is addressed to all strata of global society – there are specific points aimed at political leaders, business leaders, religious leaders, financiers, and aid agencies but the work as a whole is also addressed to all people of good will.
Caritas in veritate contains detailed reflection on economic and social issues. The Pope points out that the church does not offer specific technical solutions, but rather moral principles to inform the building of such solutions. The economic themes include an attack on free-market fundamentalism, though a simplistic polarization of the free market model versus interventionist big government solutions is rejected. There is emphasis on the need for the actions of all economic actors to be informed by ethics as well as the profit motive. Other areas discussed include hunger, the environment, migration, sexual tourism, bioethics, cultural relativism, social solidarity, energy, and population issues.