The main purpose of this article is the description and the functional analysis of metatextual formulas signaling the course of argumentation in the encyclicals of John Paul II. Among the studied constructions should be highlighted: indicators of the subject, indicators of the premises (introducing an argument from authority, introducing definitions, introducing commentary and explanation) and signaling devices of arguments and statements, proposals and conclusions. The aforementioned metatextual formulas play an important role in the communication process. They identify and specify moments that are particularly important in the complicated justification process. Emphasizing the strategic places of discource, they serve to start the appropriate perceptual processes in the recipient, thanks to which the text can be quickly integrated and interpreted accordingly.