A document called an “encyclical”, even when issued by the pope, does not mean that every statement within it is infallible, no. However, it may contain an ex cathedra statement, which would be infallible. Or, it might contain or reiterate teachings that qualify as infallible because they were already infallible before the encyclical was written, so of course they are still infallible, but not on account of the encyclical.
Agree with Pug. In addition: Papal infallibility was infallibly defined by Vatican I, although of course there was already universal understanding of the dogma even from the very start.
DISCLAIMER: Catholic Answers has turned over the archive to Catholic-Questions.org and no longer owns, manages, or moderates the forums. For additional apologetics resources please visit www.catholic.com.
