It is clear that the main tenet of socialism, community of goods, must be utterly rejected, since it only injures those whom it would seem meant to benefit, is directly contrary to the natural rights of mankind, and would introduce confusion and disorder into the commonweal. The first and most fundamental principle, therefore, if one would undertake to alleviate the condition of the masses, must be the inviolability of private property.
Pope Leo XIIIPeople differ in capacity, skill, health, strength; and unequal fortune is a necessary result of unequal condition. Such inequality is far from being disadvantageous either to individuals or to the community.
Pope Leo XIIIThe family was ordained of God that children might be trained up for himself; it was before the church, or rather the first form of the church on earth.
Pope Leo XIIIIt is shameful and inhuman to treat men like chattels to make money by, or to regard them merely as so much muscle or physical power.
Pope Leo XIII