POPE LEO XIV IS IN CONTINUITY WITH HIS PRE-VATICAN II PREDECESSOR, POPE LEO XIII AS IT CONCERNS NATURAL LAW AMONG OTHER THEOLOGIES…

We know that Pope Leo XIV has spoken about natural law more than once in His Holiness’ short papacy. As we know, Pope Leo XIV has specifically stated that he took the papal name Leo XIV specifically referring his papacy to Leo XIII. Although this does not exclude Pope Leo the Great.

Most Catholics, when we think about natural law think that it refers primarily to sexual morality and the proper place of sex for unitive and procreative purposes, exclusively within  a licit marriage. 

It is that but much more also.

Here’s an AI summary of natural law as Pope Leo XIII would have understood it and now our very own Pope Leo XIV:

AI Overview

Pope Leo XIII used natural law as the basis for affirming workers' rights and outlining the duties of employers and society in Rerum Novarum. He defined natural law as God's eternal reason, "written and engraved in the mind of every man" and accessible through human reason. He argued that laws conflicting with natural law are unjust and lack binding force, and that the state should intervene in economic affairs only to protect workers and the common good.
 

How Pope Leo XIII Used Natural Law

• Dignity of Work:

  Leo XIII's use of natural law centered on the inherent dignity of human beings and the concept of work. He argued that work is not merely a commodity but a fundamental aspect of human life and a way to provide for one's family. 
• Worker Rights:

  Working from the foundation of natural law, Leo established specific rights for workers. These include: 

  • Just Wages: A wage sufficient to support a family. 
  • Safe Working Conditions: The right to reasonable hours, rest periods, and safe environments. 
  • Family Life: The integrity of family life and the right to provide for one's children's necessities. 
  • Freedom: The freedom to spend wages as one sees fit and to attend to religious obligations, including not working on Sundays or holy days. 
  • Associations: The right to form worker associations for mutual support and to defend their rights. 
• Delineating Employer and State Responsibilities:

  • Employer Duties: Employers have a duty to provide work appropriate to the worker's strength and age, and to respect their dignity. 
  • State Intervention: The state should not overreach but may intervene when necessary to protect workers' rights and ensure fair practices. 
• Just Laws and Civil Disobedience:

  Leo XIII, echoing St. Augustine, asserted that any civil law contradicting natural law is not a true law and lacks binding authority. This implies that citizens are not bound to obey such unjust laws. 

Key Concepts from Natural Law

• Reason as God's Law:

  Leo XIII viewed natural law as God's eternal law, made known to individuals through their own reason. 
• Universal Validity:

  He emphasized that natural law is universally valid and serves as a fundamental compass for ethical action and legislation, binding Christians and non-Christians alike. 
• Foundation for Social Order:

  Natural law provides a shared moral framework for society, guiding legislative action and restoring dignity to human beings by grounding societal structures in the inviolable integrity of the human person.