Born on the island of Madeira, José Tolentino Mendonça is a poet, priest and teacher. With a doctorate in Biblical Theology in Rome, he returned to Lisbon as chaplain and professor of Biblical Theology at the Catolica University of Portugal.

In 2011, he was appointed vice-rector of the Catolica University of Portugal and, in 2018, appointed by Pope Francis as Archivist and Librarian of the Holy Roman Church, a position that underlines his prestige and his contribution to Catholic thought.

In 2019, José Tolentino Mendonça was appointed cardinal by Pope Francis, demonstrating his key role in promoting a profound dialog between faith and modern culture. Throughout his career, he has been an advocate of inclusive spirituality and has worked to make theology accessible and relevant to a wide audience. In addition to his academic and pastoral work, he is recognized for his ability to communicate the Gospel in creative and contemporary ways, earning respect both inside and outside the Church.