An intense schedule of meetings with Institutional authorities, collegiate bodies, schools from the Valparaíso Diocese and the general university community will be carried out by Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Culture and Education Dicastery of the Holy See, during his visit to the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso on March 24 and 25.
The highlight of the visit of the renowned intellectual and Vatican authority will take place at the Inauguration of the 2026 Academic Year, when he will be granted the degree of Doctor Scientiae et Honoris Causa and will teach the keynote lecture that will mark the official beginning of the academic year at the University.
The Portuguese cardinal's trip to Chile is the response to a special invitation extended by the Rector's Office, with the aim of allowing him to experience the University firsthand, learn about its educational and institutional framework, and understand its academic development, which has established it as the largest institution of higher education in the Valparaíso region. The visit also seeks to strengthen ties with the Church and foster closer engagement with the university and the broader Catholic educational community.
Priest, theologian, poet, and essayist, Cardinal Mendonça is considered one of the most influential Catholic intellectuals in the contemporary Church. His academic career has developed alongside a prolific literary output: he is the author of numerous books of poetry, essays, and spiritual reflections, which have made him a leading figure in contemporary Portuguese literature. His work is characterized by a profound humanist sensibility and a constant search for dialogue between spiritual experience, culture, and daily life.
He has held various relevant positions in the Church throughout his trajectory. Among them we can highlight his role as Director of the National Secretariat for the Pastoral of Culture in Portugal and his appointment as archivist and librarian of the Holy Roman Church. He was created cardinal by Pope Francis in 2019, joining the Cardinal College and taking on various responsibilities at the Roman Curia related to the cultural and educational field.
In 2022 he was appointed Prefect of the Culture and Education Dicastery, the organization in charge of promoting dialogue between Church and culture, as well as coordinating the catholic educational system worldwide.
Meeting Schedule
The activities of Cardinal Mendonça at the PUCV will begin at noon with a meeting of the team at the Vice Grand Chancellery and the University’s Rectorate Committee.
Later, he will participate in an extended session in the Main Hall of the Central Building with directors of Catholic educational institutions in the Valparaíso region. He will then meet with university authorities and representatives of the various governing bodies of the PUCV.
To close the day, the Cardinal and the university community will enjoy, starting at 6:30 PM, a concert presented by the PUCV Chamber Orchestra at the Centenary Hall.
Inauguration of Academic Year
The central activity of the visit will take place on Wednesday, March 25. The day will begin at 10 AM with the celebration of Eucharist what will be presided by Cardinal Mendonça, together with Monsignor Kurian Mathew Vayalunkal, Apostolic Nuncio in Chile, and Monsignor Jorge Vega, Bishop of Valparaíso and Grand Chancellor of our university.
Later, the Prefect of the Culture and Education Dicastery will be honored with the degree of Doctor Scientiae et Honoris Causa, after which he will present the keynote lecture that will officially inaugurate the 2026 Academic Year of our university.
By Juan Pablo Guerra
Strategic Communication Department
