Encyclical
ENCYCLICAL
BASIC R.C. BELIEF An encyclical (or papal bull) is a letter addressed to the bishops of the world from the Pope. It contains admonitions and instructions, and is thought to be binding, although few theologians ascribe infallibility to an encyclical. However, Roman Catholic writers have equated papal encyclicals to the Apostolic epistles of the Bible. The title of an encyclical (circular letter) is the first two words in Latin.