Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça curates Vatican Pavilion at Venice Biennale
Portuguese prelate José Tolentino de Mendonça, prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education and a published writer, has become a prominent figure in the contemporary art world, befriending artists and movie stars. He is the mastermind behind the Vatican Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale, which just opened. Through his progressive ideas, he has reconciled the Church with an art milieu that long distrusted it.
Key facts
- José Tolentino de Mendonça is a Portuguese cardinal and prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.
- He is a writer and a friend of artists and film stars.
- He oversaw the Vatican Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale.
- The Biennale recently began.
- His progressive ideas helped reconcile the Church with contemporary art.
Entities
Artists
- José Tolentino de Mendonça
Institutions
- Dicastery for Culture and Education
- Vatican
- Venice Biennale
Locations
- Venice
- Italy