Gaudium et Spes

Gaudium et spes, the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, was one of the four constitutions resulting from the Second Vatican Council. It addresses the Church’s teaching about humanity’s relationship to society, especially in reference to economics, poverty, social justice, culture, science, technology and ecumenism. Approved by a vote of 2,307 to 75 of the bishops assembled, it was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on December 7, 1965, the day the council ended. Its title is taken from its opening words in Latin, meaning ‘the joys and hopes.’