A new encyclical titled Fratelli Tutti will be published next month by the Holy Father Pope Francis.
The Holy Father will travel to Assisi on October 3 to sign the encyclical, which will talk about the social, political and economic obligations that flow from a belief that all people are children of God and therefore brothers and sisters to one another.
In confirming the Holy Father’s travel, the Vatican Press Office said the encyclical is entitled “Fratelli Tutti” in Italian. In English, the phrase could be translated as “Brothers and Sisters All,” but apparently it is inspired by what is known as St Francis of Assisi’s “sixth admonition” to the friars, all of whom were men.
Conventual Franciscan Father Mauro Gambetti, custodian of the Assisi convent, said the encyclical “will indicate to the world a style for the future and will give the church and people of goodwill the responsibility for building it together.”
Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive at the Assisi convent at 3 pm to celebrate Mass at the tomb of St Francis and sign the document.
Because of ongoing concerns and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mass and the rest of the pope’s visit will be private, the Vatican Press Office said.
The encyclical is expected to echo many of the themes Pope Francis has been discussing in his general audience talks on Catholic social teaching in light of the pandemic: human fraternity, the equal dignity of all people, the preferential option for the poor, the universal destination of goods and the obligation of solidarity. Care for the environment and the virtue of peacemaking also are expected to be part of the encyclical.
After Pope Francis signs the encyclical on the eve of the feast of St Francis, the text is expected to be published in a variety of languages the first week of October.