"The marketplace by itself cannot resolve every problem, however much we are asked to believe this dogma of neoliberal faith," the pope wrote.

He added that free-market capitalism "reproduces itself" by resorting to the magic theories of "spillover" or "trickle" as the only solution to societal problems.

The pope said this "spillover" does not "resolve the inequality that gives rise to new forms of violence threatening the fabric of society."

The encyclical, called "Fratelli Tutti," or "Brothers All," reiterated the pope's vision for a more communal society, which extends to the use of private property.

"The Christian tradition has never recognized the right to private property as absolute or inviolable and has stressed the social purpose of all forms of private property," the pope wrote.

He also touched on racism, calling it a "virus that quickly mutates and instead of disappearing goes into hiding and lurks in waiting."

The pope also questioned why it took so long for the Catholic Church to unequivocally to condemn slavery.