Apostolic exhortation

An apostolic exhortation is a magisterial document written by the pope. Some experts regard it as third in importance among papal documents, after apostolic constitutions and encyclicals. Exhortations generally encourage a particular virtue or activity. Apostolic exhortations are frequently issued following a Synod of Bishops, in which case they are known as post-synodal apostolic exhortations. They do not define Church doctrine and are not considered legislative.

Pope Pius XII

 * Menti nostrae (The sanctity of priestly life, 1950)

Pope Paul VI

 * Evangelii nuntiandi (Evangelization in the Modern World, 1975)

Pope John Paul II

 * Catechesi tradendae (Catechesis in Our Time, 1979)
 * Familiaris consortio (The Christian Family in the Modern World, 1981)
 * Christifideles laici (Christ's Faithful People, 1988)
 * Ecclesia in America (The Church in America, 1999)
 * Ecclesia in Asia (The Church in Asia, 1999)
 * Ecclesia in Europa (The Church in Europe, 2003)
 * Pastores gregis (For the Hope of the World, 2003)

Pope Benedict XVI

 * Africae munus (Africa's Commitment, 2011)
 * Sacramentum caritatis (The Sacrament of Love, 2007)
 * Verbum Domini (The Word of the Lord, 2010)

Pope Francis

 * Amoris laetitia (The Joy of Love, 2016)
 * Gaudete et exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad, 2018)
 * Christus vivit (Christ is Alive, 2019)
 * Evangelii gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel, 2013)
 * Querida Amazonia (Beloved Amazon, 2020), a post-synodal exhortation on the Amazon Region
 * Laudate Deum (Praise God, 2023)