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Second Vatican Council

The Council itself, its preparation, documents, implementation and reception.

Also called Vatican II, the Council, conciliar reception, V2.

152 documents

Related topics

A dagger (†) means the date or the official link is still awaiting verification.

1950s

  1. Questa festiva ricorrenza25 January 1959Address announcing the Roman Synod, the Ecumenical Council and the revision of the CodePope
  2. Ad Petri Cathedram29 June 1959On Truth, Unity and Peace in a Spirit of CharityPope

1960s

  1. Superno Dei Nutu5 June 1960Instituting the Preparatory Commissions for the Second Vatican CouncilPope
  2. Humanae Salutis25 December 1961Convoking the Second Vatican CouncilPope
  3. Consilium2 February 1962Fixing the Opening Date of the Second Vatican CouncilPope
  4. Appropinquante Concilio6 August 1962Establishing the Rules of Procedure for the CouncilPope
  5. Lumen Christi Ecclesia Christi11 September 1962Radio Message to All the Faithful One Month before the CouncilPope
  6. Gaudet Mater Ecclesia11 October 1962Address at the Solemn Opening of the Second Vatican CouncilPope
  7. Prima sessio8 December 1962Address at the Closing of the First Period of the CouncilPope
  8. Mirabilis ille6 January 1963Letter to the Bishops on the Work of the Council between SessionsPope
  9. Qui fausto die22 June 1963First Message to the Human FamilyPope
  10. Salvete, Fratres29 September 1963Address Opening the Second Session of the CouncilPope
  11. Concilium sacrosanctum4 December 1963Address Closing the Second Session (promulgation of SC and IM)Pope
  12. Ecclesia Christi14 September 1964Address Opening the Third Session of the CouncilPope
  13. Quarta Sessio28 August 1965Exhortation on the Fourth Session of the CouncilPope
  14. In nomine Domini14 September 1965Address Opening the Fourth Session of the CouncilPope
  15. Plano de Pastoral de Conjunto 1966-1970†November 1965Joint Pastoral Plan 1966-1970Bishops' Conferences
  16. Postrema Sessio4 November 1965Exhortation on the Final Session of the CouncilPope
  17. Hodie Concilium7 December 1965Address at the Last Public Session of the CouncilPope
  18. Closing Message to the Council Fathers8 December 1965Closing Message: Introduction to the Council FathersPope
  19. Homily at the Closing of the Council8 December 1965Homily on the Immaculate Conception at the Conclusion of the CouncilPope
  20. In Spiritu Sancto8 December 1965Apostolic Brief Declaring the Council ClosedPope
  21. Wednesday reflections on the post-conciliar period15 December 1965Run of Wednesday audiences (Dec 1965 to 1966 and beyond) on living, studying and applying the just-closed Council; opened by the 15 Dec 1965 talk rejecting both nostalgia and "conciliarism"Pope
  22. General Audience of 29 December 196529 December 1965On keeping alive "the spirit of the Council" in the post-conciliar Church (1965)Pope
  23. Finis Concilio3 January 1966Establishing the Post-Conciliar CommissionsPope
  24. General Audience of 26 January 196626 January 1966The religious spirit of the Council and its fruit for faith and prayer (1966)Pope
  25. General Audience of 30 March 196630 March 1966Gaudium et Spes and the Church's loving optimism toward the modern world (1966)Pope
  26. Ecclesiae Sanctae6 August 1966Implementing the Decrees Christus Dominus, Presbyterorum Ordinis, Perfectae Caritatis and Ad GentesPope
  27. General Audience of 7 September 19667 September 1966Applying the conciliar decrees with renewed faith; against doubts claimed to be licensed by the Council (1966)Pope
  28. Sacrae Laudis6 January 1962On Praying the Divine Office for the CouncilPope
  29. Oecumenicum Concilium28 April 1962Appeal for the Rosary in Preparation for the CouncilPope
  30. Paenitentiam Agere1 July 1962On the Need for Interior and Exterior Penance for the CouncilPope
  31. Nuntius ad universos homines†20 October 1962Message to Humanity from the Council FathersEcumenical Council
  32. Summi Dei Verbum4 November 1963On the Fourth Centenary of the Tridentine SeminariesPope
  33. Pastorale Munus30 November 1963On Faculties Granted to Diocesan BishopsPope
  34. Inter Mirifica4 December 1963Decree on the Media of Social CommunicationsEcumenical Council
  35. Sacrosanctum Concilium4 December 1963Constitution on the Sacred LiturgyEcumenical Council
  36. Sacram Liturgiam25 January 1964Implementing Provisions of the Constitution on the Sacred LiturgyPope
  37. In Fructibus Multis2 April 1964Establishing the Pontifical Commission for Social CommunicationsPope
  38. Inter Oecumenici26 September 1964First Instruction on implementing Sacrosanctum ConciliumRoman Curia
  39. Lumen Gentium21 November 1964Dogmatic Constitution on the ChurchEcumenical Council
  40. Orientalium Ecclesiarum21 November 1964Decree on the Catholic Churches of the Eastern RiteEcumenical Council
  41. Unitatis Redintegratio21 November 1964Decree on EcumenismEcumenical Council
  42. Post duos menses21 November 1964Address Closing the Third Session (Mary, Mother of the Church)Pope
  43. Investigabiles Divitias Christi6 February 1965On the Bicentenary of the Feast of the Sacred HeartPope
  44. Mense Maio29 April 1965On Prayers during May for the Preservation of PeacePope
  45. Apostolica Sollicitudo15 September 1965Establishing the Synod of BishopsPope
  46. Christus Dominus28 October 1965Decree on the Pastoral Office of BishopsEcumenical Council
  47. Gravissimum Educationis28 October 1965Declaration on Christian EducationEcumenical Council
  48. Nostra Aetate28 October 1965Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian ReligionsEcumenical Council
  49. Optatam Totius28 October 1965Decree on Priestly TrainingEcumenical Council
  50. Perfectae Caritatis28 October 1965Decree on the Renewal of Religious LifeEcumenical Council
  51. Pacto de las Catacumbas16 November 1965Pact of the Catacombs (for a servant and poor Church)Ecclesial Initiatives
  52. Apostolicam Actuositatem18 November 1965Decree on the Apostolate of the LaityEcumenical Council
  53. Dei Verbum18 November 1965Dogmatic Constitution on Divine RevelationEcumenical Council
  54. Ad Gentes7 December 1965Decree on the Mission Activity of the ChurchEcumenical Council
  55. Dignitatis Humanae7 December 1965Declaration on Religious FreedomEcumenical Council
  56. Gaudium et Spes7 December 1965Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern WorldEcumenical Council
  57. Presbyterorum Ordinis7 December 1965Decree on the Ministry and Life of PriestsEcumenical Council
  58. Integrae Servandae7 December 1965Reorganizing the Holy Office as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the FaithPope
  59. Mirificus Eventus7 December 1965Proclaiming the Extraordinary Jubilee after the CouncilPope
  60. Closing Message to Artists8 December 1965Closing Message of the Council to ArtistsPope
  61. Closing Message to Men of Thought and Science8 December 1965Closing Message of the Council to Men of Thought and SciencePope
  62. Closing Message to Rulers8 December 1965Closing Message of the Council to RulersPope
  63. Closing Message to the Poor, the Sick and the Suffering8 December 1965Closing Message of the Council to the Poor, Sick and SufferingPope
  64. Closing Message to Women8 December 1965Closing Message of the Council to WomenPope
  65. Closing Message to Workers8 December 1965Closing Message of the Council to WorkersPope
  66. Closing Message to Youth8 December 1965Closing Message of the Council to Young Men and WomenPope
  67. General Audience of 12 January 196612 January 1966On the Council's doctrinal authority: pastoral in character, no new infallible definitions, but teaching with the authority of the supreme ordinary magisterium (1966)Pope
  68. General Audience of 19 January 196619 January 1966Ecumenism as a defining spirit of the Council; unity pursued in love with doctrinal integrity (1966)Pope
  69. Cum nostra aetate27 January 1966Norms on editions of liturgical booksRoman Curia
  70. Paenitemini17 February 1966On Fast and AbstinencePope
  71. General Audience of 9 March 19669 March 1966The Council's teaching on the People of God and the communal character of salvation (1966)Pope
  72. General Audience of 23 March 196623 March 1966The Council on the dignity of the laity and their apostolate rooted in Baptism and Confirmation (1966)Pope
  73. Common Declaration24 March 1966Common Declaration of Paul VI and Archbishop RamseyEcumenical & Interreligious Dialogue
  74. General Audience of 27 April 196627 April 1966The Church as mystery, the central theme of the Council, read through Lumen Gentium's images (1966)Pope
  75. De Episcoporum Muneribus15 June 1966On the Faculties of Bishops to DispensePope
  76. The Brother of the Christian Schools in the World Today: A Declaration†1967Lasallian Declaration (39th General Chapter)Ecclesial Initiatives
  77. Catholicam Christi Ecclesiam6 January 1967Establishing the Council of the Laity and the Commission Justice and PeacePope
  78. Musicam sacram5 March 1967Instruction on music in the liturgyRoman Curia
  79. Tres abhinc annos4 May 1967Second Instruction on implementing Sacrosanctum ConciliumRoman Curia
  80. Ad totam Ecclesiam†14 May 1967Ecumenical Directory, Part IRoman Curia
  81. Eucharisticum mysterium25 May 1967Instruction on the worship of the Eucharistic mysteryRoman Curia
  82. Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem18 June 1967Restoring the Permanent DiaconatePope
  83. Regimini Ecclesiae Universae15 August 1967On the Reform of the Roman CuriaPope
  84. General Audience of 27 December 196727 December 1967The Council's teaching on the People of God and the laity's right and duty to share the Church's mission (1967)Pope
  85. The Church in Our Day21 January 1968The Church in Our DayBishops' Conferences
  86. Documento de Medellín: La Iglesia en la actual transformación de América Latina a la luz del Concilio6 September 1968Medellín ConclusionsBishops' Conferences
  87. Renovationis causam†6 January 1969Instruction on renewal of religious formationRoman Curia
  88. General Audience of 15 January 196915 January 1969Conciliar renewal must be chiefly interior, moral and personal, not merely structural (1969)Pope
  89. Comme le prévoit25 January 1969Instruction on translation of liturgical textsRoman Curia
  90. Missale Romanum3 April 1969Promulgating the Roman Missal Revised by Decree of the CouncilPope

1970s

  1. General Audience of 7 January 19707 January 1970The Council as an ongoing principle of renewal, avoiding both rejection of tradition and confusing custom with tradition (1970)Pope
  2. Ratio fundamentalis institutionis sacerdotalis†6 January 1970Basic Plan for Priestly Formation (1970)Roman Curia
  3. Spiritus Domini†16 April 1970Ecumenical Directory, Part II: Ecumenism in Higher EducationRoman Curia
  4. Liturgicae instaurationes5 September 1970Third Instruction on implementing Sacrosanctum ConciliumRoman Curia
  5. Quinque Iam Anni8 December 1970To the Bishops Five Years after the CouncilPope
  6. Directorium Catechisticum Generale11 April 1971General Catechetical DirectoryRoman Curia
  7. Communio et progressio23 May 1971Pastoral Instruction on the Means of Social CommunicationRoman Curia
  8. Evangelica Testificatio29 June 1971On the Renewal of Religious LifePope
  9. Ecclesiae imago†22 February 1973Directory on the Pastoral Ministry of BishopsRoman Curia
  10. Ordo Paenitentiae2 December 1973Rite of Penance (editio typica)Roman Curia
  11. Guidelines and Suggestions for Implementing Nostra Aetate (n. 4)1 December 1974Guidelines on Religious Relations with the JewsRoman Curia
  12. Missale Romanum (editio typica altera)27 March 1975Roman Missal, second typical editionRoman Curia
  13. Apostolatus Peragendi10 December 1976Establishing the Pontifical Council for the LaityPope
  14. La Iglesia de la Pascua10 April 1977The Easter Church (1st pastoral letter)Diocesan Bishops
  15. Redemptor Hominis4 March 1979The Redeemer of ManPope
  16. Scripturarum Thesaurus25 April 1979Promulgating the Nova VulgataPope
  17. In ecclesiasticam futurorum3 June 1979Instruction on liturgical formation in seminariesRoman Curia

1980s

  1. Homily opening the Extraordinary Synod24 November 1985Opening of the 1985 Extraordinary Synod on Vatican II's 20th anniversaryPope
  2. Ecclesia sub verbo Dei mysteria Christi celebrans pro salute mundi†7 December 1985II Extraordinary General Assembly (1985), 20th anniversary of the conclusion of Vatican II: Final Report (Relatio finalis)Synod of Bishops
  3. Nuntius (Message to the People of God)†7 December 1985II Extraordinary General Assembly (1985), 20th anniversary of the conclusion of Vatican II: Message to the People of GodSynod of Bishops
  4. Familia a Deo Instituta9 May 1981Establishing the Pontifical Council for the FamilyPope
  5. Codex Iuris Canonici25 January 1983Code of Canon Law (1983)Pope
  6. Sacrae Disciplinae Leges25 January 1983Promulgating the revised Code of Canon LawPope
  7. Select Themes of Ecclesiology on the Occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Closing of Vatican II1984Select Themes of Ecclesiology on the Occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Closing of Vatican IITheological & Biblical Commissions
  8. Notes on the correct way to present Jews and Judaism†24 June 1985Notes on Jews and Judaism in Preaching and CatechesisRoman Curia
  9. Vicesimus Quintus Annus4 December 1988On the 25th anniversary of Sacrosanctum ConciliumPope

1990s

  1. Fidei Depositum11 October 1992Promulgating the Catechism of the Catholic ChurchPope
  2. Varietates legitimae25 January 1994Fourth Instruction: Inculturation and the Roman LiturgyRoman Curia
  3. Tertio Millennio Adveniente10 November 1994On preparation for the Jubilee of the Year 2000Pope
  4. Catechesis on the Blessed Virgin Mary6 September 1995 – 12 November 1997Creed sub-cycle on Mary in the mystery of Christ and the Church, following Lumen Gentium chapter VIII (1995-1997)Pope
  5. General Directory for Catechesis15 August 1997General Directory for CatechesisRoman Curia

2000s

  1. Spiritus et Sponsa4 December 2003On the 40th anniversary of Sacrosanctum ConciliumPope
  2. The Rapid Development24 January 2005To those responsible for communications (40 years after Inter Mirifica)Pope
  3. Expergiscere, homo22 December 2005Christmas address to the Roman Curia (hermeneutic of reform in continuity)Pope
  4. Responses to some questions regarding certain aspects of the doctrine on the Church29 June 2007Responses on the Doctrine on the ChurchRoman Curia
  5. Lettera ai Vescovi (remissione della scomunica)10 March 2009Letter to bishops on lifting the excommunication of four SSPX bishopsPope

2010s

  1. Omelia per l'apertura dell'Anno della fede11 October 2012Homily opening the Year of Faith, 50th anniversary of the Council's openingPope
  2. Incontro con il clero di Roma14 February 2013Last meeting with the clergy of Rome: memories of the Council (Council of the Fathers vs Council of the media)Pope
  3. Forty Years of Dialogue: Reflections and Future Perspectives2 March 2011ILC Paris StatementEcumenical & Interreligious Dialogue
  4. Porta fidei11 October 2011Indiction of the Year of Faith (50th of the Council's opening)Pope
  5. Note with Pastoral Recommendations for the Year of Faith6 January 2012Note for the Year of FaithRoman Curia
  6. Educating Today and Tomorrow: A Renewing Passion7 April 2014Educating Today and TomorrowRoman Curia
  7. Catechesis on the Church18 June 2014 – 26 November 2014The Church as People of God, Body of Christ, Mother, one holy catholic apostolic, following Lumen gentium, 2014Pope
  8. Commemorazione del 50° anniversario dell'istituzione del Sinodo dei Vescovi17 October 2015Address on synodality, 50th anniversary of the Synod of BishopsPope
  9. The Gifts and the Calling of God are Irrevocable10 December 2015Reflection on Catholic-Jewish relations (50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate)Roman Curia
  10. Magnum principium3 September 2017Amending canon 838 on liturgical translationsPope
  11. Synodality in the Life and Mission of the Church2 March 2018Synodality in the Life and Mission of the ChurchTheological & Biblical Commissions
  12. Episcopalis communio15 September 2018On the Synod of BishopsPope
  13. Sing to the Lord a New Song25 January 2019Sing to the Lord a New Song (on sacred music)Diocesan Bishops

2020s

  1. Omelia nel 60° anniversario dell'inizio del Concilio11 October 2022Homily for the 60th anniversary of the opening of Vatican IIPope
  2. Udienza generale: I documenti del Concilio Vaticano II7 January 2026General audience opening the catechesis cycle on the documents of Vatican IIPope
  3. Lettera ai Vescovi (Traditionis custodes)16 July 2021Letter to bishops accompanying Traditionis custodesPope
  4. Traditionis custodes16 July 2021On the use of the Roman liturgy prior to the 1970 reformPope
  5. Desiderio desideravi29 June 2022On the liturgical formation of the People of GodPope
  6. Catechesis on Apostolic Zeal11 January 2023 – 13 December 2023The passion for evangelization: the apostolic zeal of the believer, incl. Vatican II on mission, 2023Pope
  7. Discorso al Collegio cardinalizio10 May 2025Address to the College of Cardinals (programmatic; Leo XIII, Evangelii gaudium, Vatican II)Pope
  8. Disegnare nuove mappe di speranza27 October 2025Drawing New Maps of Hope: 60th anniversary of Gravissimum educationisPope
  9. Commemorazione di Nostra aetate28 October 2025Address commemorating the 60th anniversary of Nostra aetatePope
  10. Una fedeltà che genera futuro8 December 2025A Fidelity that Generates the Future: 60th anniversary of Optatam totius and Presbyterorum ordinisPope
  11. A Journey of Hope16 September 2026Note: Sixty Years of Interreligious Dialogue and Fraternity in the Light of Nostra AetateRoman Curia