Pope Leo XIII, who reigned for 25 years and died in 1903, focused on reconciling the Catholic Church with modern society. He emphasized the importance of science alongside faith, reopened the Vatican observatory, and authorized access to the Vatican archives for scholars. His seminal encyclical, "Rerum Novarum," laid the groundwork for Catholic social teaching relating to capitalism and labor, advocating for workers' rights and trade unions while also expressing concern over Americanism and the separation of church and state. The recent election of Pope Leo XIV marks a historical continuity with Leo XIII's legacy.
Leo XIII's papacy is notable for reconciling science and religion, marked by opening Vatican archives and supporting workers' rights through his encyclical "Rerum Novarum."
Leo XIII was deeply concerned about labor rights, emphasizing that wages should be sufficient for a well-behaved wage earner, warning against exploitation by employers.
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