Fort Towson

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.[1] 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.[2]

Examples of apostolic exhortations

Pope Pius XII

Pope Paul VI

Pope John Paul II

Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Francis

References