UPDATED: A New Encyclical: Lumen Fidei (Light of Faith)

"The Light of Faith: this is how the Church's tradition speaks of the great gift brought by Jesus"

And so begins Lumen Fidei (Light of Faith), the first encyclical (released today, July 5, 2013) by our beloved Pope Francis. This reflection on the meaning of faith was begun by Pope Benedict XVI and draws on his essential themes, but it is also very much the work of our current Pope.

You can read it online[1] on the Vatican's Web site,[2] or download an official PDF copy[1] (click the icon in the top right corner of the encyclical's page). The Web version is on a clean white background so is easy on the eyes. A hardcopy version is slated to be released soon.

UPDATE:

Do you know what an encyclical is? Have other encyclicals had more than one author? What is the structure like of this encyclical? If you have questions like these, then Jimmy Akin's article "14 things you need to know about Pope Francis's new encyclical"[3] is a must-read. Check it out over at the National Catholic Register![4]

ENDNOTES 

[1] http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20130629_enciclica-lumen-fidei_en.html

[2] http://www.vatican.va

[3] http://www.ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-akin/14-things-you-need-to-know-about-pope-franciss-new-encyclical/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter 

[4] http://www.ncregister.com/