José Tolentino de Mendonça is a Portuguese cardinal, poet, and intellectual, born in 1965 in Madeira. A priest, biblical scholar, and essayist, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential contemporary voices on the relationship between spirituality, culture, and everyday life. He previously served as Archivist and Librarian of the Holy Roman Church and is currently Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education of the Holy See. Author of numerous works of poetry, theology, and spiritual reflection, his writing is known for its openness to dialogue with the contemporary world, weaving together faith, literature, and the human experience.