Sancttissimi Domini Nostri Leonis Divina Providentia Papae XIII. Epostola Encyclica.

POPE LEO XIII (VINCENZO GIOACCHINO RAFFAELE LUIGI PECCI) (EMPRESS OF AUSTRIA),.

Item Number: 92543

Rome:, 1878.

Rare first edition of Pope Leo XIII’s first Papal encyclical. Presentation copy, inscribed by Pope Leo XIII on the dedication page to the Empress of Austria, the most influential Catholic political leader in late 19th century Europe. Folio, bound full red morocco Papal binding, elaborately stamped in gilt, gilt Papal shield inlaid with blue and white morocco, gilt ruled, gilt turn-ins, all edges gilt, silk endpapers, ribbon bound in. Housed in an original felt-lined morocco dust jacket and marbled slipcase. In fine condition. An exceptional presentation.

Considered the most scholarly pope of the 19th century, Pope Leo XIII was head of the Catholic church from February 20th, 1878 until his death at age 93 in 1903. Pope Leo XIII became well known for his intellectualism and his attempts to define the position of the Catholic Church with regard to modern thinking. In his famous 1891 encyclical Rerum novarum, Pope Leo outlined the rights of workers to a fair wage, safe working conditions, and the formation of labor unions, while affirming the rights of property and free enterprise, opposing both Marxism and laissez-faire capitalism.