São João Paulo II publishes Laborem Exercens

Pope John Paul II published the encyclical Laborem Exercens to mark the 90th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum. Although originally scheduled for release on May 15, 1981, the publication was delayed until September 14, 1981, following the assassination attempt against the Pope in St. Peter's Square.

The document addresses human labor, placing it at the center of social issues and affirming the dignity of the worker. John Paul II argues that the human person is the true subject of work, which serves as a means to express and improve that dignity. The encyclical asserts the primacy of labor over both capital and material goods while criticizing systems that reject these principles.

In the text, the Pope supports the rights of workers and unions and discusses the spirituality of work. He notes that human dignity remains linked to labor even when it involves suffering. The encyclical also addresses modern developments such as automation, rising costs for energy and raw materials, environmental awareness, and the right to participate in the workforce.