It is a detailed document encouraging Catholics all over the world to act to halt climate change.
Only one has been issued so far this century, by Pope Benedict to give Anglicans a way of joining the Catholic Church without having to forgo their liturgy.
Speaking at his general assembly this week he said: "This home of ours is being ruined and that damages everyone, especially the poor."
A number of Christian academics have endorsed similar teachings and put their names to a letter calling on nations to work towards a carbon-free world.
The Pontifical Academy of Sciences with The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences warned earlier this year that the world is facing unprecedented environmental changes.
It states,"there is still time, however, to mitigate unmanageable climate changes and thus to protect humanity and nature," and stresses the Catholic Church, working with leaders from other religions, could take a decisive role in helping to solve this problem.
The authors have emphasised how the church can mobilise public support and money to meet the energy needs of the poorest three billion people in a way that will not contribute further to global warming, but instead would allow them to prepare better for the challenges of unavoidable climate change.
Speaking to Premier, one of the signatories, Professor Margaret Archer, from Warwick University said: "All of these things are addressed to people of goodwill, all people of goodwill, you don't have to be Catholic, a believer, belong to another faith, or have any faith at all.
"You just have to care for your fellow human beings and take a form of self-interest which is not selfish."
She added that Christians need to make common sense decisions to help the planet: "Don't think that in winter you have to wander around, or you can wander around in a T-shirt.
"Turn the central heating down and stick a jumper on!"
Christian Aid's Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Christine Allen, said the intervention was a natural extension for his ministry for those in poverty.
She said: "The hallmark of Pope Francis' ministry has been his care for the poor.
"You can't claim to care for the poor and ignore climate change.
"Climate change is not just a scientific phenomenon, or a political football, it is a moral issue which demands an ethical response.
"To those suffering the effect of climate change and those who feel politicians are letting them down, this is a message of hope.
"People of faith must hear the call to stand alongside people of every nation and work together, not letting narrow self-interest or national politics block our common need.
"Even more than that the vision of faith calls everyone to recognise our dependence on the natural world and calls us to reassess all our actions that damage our fellow creatures.
"We've heard the scientists, and the economists and the politicians, it's now time for faith leaders to speak up. Not only is the Pope speaking to Catholics, he's addressing the whole world."
Listen to Premier's Hannah Tooley speak to Professor Margaret Archer here:
