Pope Pius IX issues the encyclical Qui pluribus

Background. Cardinal Mastai-Ferretti entered the papacy in 1846 amidst widespread expectations that he would champion reform and modernization in the Papal States, which he ruled directly, and in the entire Catholic Church. At the time of his election he was considered a liberal reformer, easing restrictions on Jewish movement and granting an amnesty to revolutionaries. He was advised by innovative thinkers such as Antonio Rosmini, who reconciled new free-thinking on human rights with the church's classical natural law tradition. His approach changed radically only after the Revolutions of 1848, which postdate the encyclical's issuance in November 1846.

Encyclical Content. Qui pluribus, subtitled 'On Faith and Religion', was the first encyclical of Pius IX's reign. It urged prelates to guard against rationalism, pantheism, socialism, and communism. Although not explicitly naming Freemasonry, it is listed among papal pronouncements against it.