| Theme | Most important texts |
| The Dignity of Every Person & Human Rights | Pacem in Terris 8-38 Gaudium et Spes 12-19 Centesimus Annus 6-11 |
| Solidarity, Common Good, & Participation | Pacem in Terris 98-108 Gaudium et Spes 26-32, 68-75 Sollicitudo Rei Socialis 35-40 |
| Family Life | Gaudium et Spes 47-52 Octogesima Adveniens 13 Laborem Exercens 10, 19 |
| Subsidiarity & the Proper Role of Government | Quadragesimo Anno 76-87 Mater et Magistra 51-77, 122-77 Pacem in Terris 140-41 |
| Property Ownership in Modern Society: Rights & Responsibilites | Quadragesimo Anno 44-52 Mater et Magistra 51-67, 104-21 Centesimus Annus 30-43 |
| Dignity of Work, Rights of Workers, & Support for Labour Unions | Rerum Novarum 1-3, 20-21, 31-38 Mater et Magistra 68-81 Laborem Exercens 1-27 |
| Colonialism & Economic Development | Mater et Magistra 68-81 Populorum Progressio 1-87 Caritas in Veritate 10-33 |
| Peace & Disarmament | Pacem in Terris 109-19 Gaudium et Spes 77-79 U.S. Bishops' The Challenge of Peace |
| Option for the Poor & Vulnerable | Gaudium et Spes 1 Octogesima Adveniens 23 Centesimus Annus 11 |
| Environment, Sustainable Development | Laudato si' |
From:
Massaro, Thomas. Living Justice : Catholic Social Teaching in Action. 2nd classroom ed. Lanham, Md.: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2012.