Over the 100 years since Rerum novarum, the popes have spoken about women on more than forty occasions. This book is the first study, in any language, of that teaching. From speeches to encyclicals, Richard Leonard takes the reader through twenty-seven of the most important papal documents concerning women, including Pope John Paul II's significant statements, Mulieris dignitatem and Ordinatio sacerdatalis.

Writing in an easy and accessible style, Leonard shows how the popes have had very different things to say about women, depending on whether they were issuing Catholic social teaching or reflecting on the role of Mary.

He examines why such papal teaching about women has met with scepticism and hostility from women and men inside and outside the Catholic Church. He demonstrates why there is such an outstanding contrast in approach to Christian womanhood taken by the papal teaching office and that of leading Catholic feminist theologian, Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza.

This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand what the popes have said about women and why they say what they do.