Gaudete et exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad) is the third apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis, dated 19 March 2018 (the Solemnity of Saint Joseph) and published on 9 April 2018, subtitled "on the call to holiness in today's world".

[1] A few weeks before the apostolic exhortation's publication, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released a letter to Catholic bishops, titled Placuit Deo (It pleased God), "on certain aspects of Christian salvation", which anticipated a central theme of Gaudete et exsultate, describing the modern forms of Pelagianism and of Gnosticism.

[2][3] Francis sees these two ancient heresies in the current notion of holiness based on following certain abstract rules, "an obsession with the law, ... a punctilious concern for the Church’s liturgy", while ignoring the messiness of real life and the suffering of people at the margins.

"[5] The document was released by the Holy See Press Office at a press conference on 9 April 2018, the Solemnity of the Annunciation, presented by then-Archbishop Angelo De Donatis, the vicar general for Rome, Gianni Valente, a journalist and Paola Bignardi, of Azione Cattolica (Catholic Action).

The document is arranged in five chapters: on the universal call to perfection of charity; on the heresies of Gnosticism and Pelagianism, described as "false forms of holiness"; on the Beatitudes as "worship most acceptable to God"; on five signs of holiness in the modern world (perseverance, patience, meekness, joy and a sense of humor, boldness and passionate commitment), and on life as constant spiritual combat against evil through the discernment of spirits.