Dicastery for Culture and Education

Leadership

About Jose Tolentino de Mendoca

José Tolentino Calaça de Mendonça was born on 15 December 1965 in Machico, Madeira, Portugal. He was ordained to the priesthood on 21 July 1990 and earned a doctorate in biblical theology from the Catholic University of Lisbon as well as advanced studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the University of Salamanca. He is a widely published poet, essayist, and theologian, recognized as one of the foremost contemporary Portuguese literary figures.

He served as professor of theology and dean at the Catholic University of Lisbon, and was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Lisbon by Pope Francis on 10 October 2018, simultaneously naming him pro-archivist of the Holy See. He achieved international renown when Pope Francis chose him to preach the Lenten Spiritual Exercises for the Roman Curia in February 2018—a remarkable honor for a relatively unknown Portuguese priest—and subsequently in 2019. His retreat meditations, published as 'Elogio da Sede' (A Tua Face Procuro), were widely praised.

Pope Francis created Tolentino de Mendonça a Cardinal-Deacon of Sant'Agostino on 27 August 2022 and appointed him Prefect of the newly merged Dicastery for Culture and Education on 24 January 2023. In this role he oversees Catholic universities, schools, scientific academies, and cultural patrimony worldwide. He has been a prominent voice for a theology of beauty and the integration of faith and culture.

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About

Works for the development of human values in people within the horizon of Christian anthropology. Comprises Section for Culture and Section for Education. Formed from merger of Pontifical Council for Culture and Congregation for Catholic Education.

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