Cardinal Chomali: "Jesus Christ lets himself be seen where no one wants to go".Bernácer: "If you read that neuroscience proves that God does not exist, laugh and move on to other news".Olivia Maurel: "Surrogacy is a new form of human trafficking".Cardinal José Tolentino is one of the most outstanding figures in the field of theology and contemporary culture. Born in Madeira, Portugal, he is a priest, theologian, poet and writer, with a long career in the study and dissemination of Christian thought in dialogue with the modern world. His work is characterized by a deep sensitivity to the human dimension of faith, exploring themes such as spirituality, mercy and the relationship between religion and culture. His ability to combine theological scholarship with a poetic outlook has made him an influential voice in the Church and beyond.
Since 2022, he has served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education of the Vatican, a role in which he promotes the encounter between faith and contemporary cultural expressions. His work focuses on building bridges between Christian thought and the various philosophical, artistic and social currents of our time. Prior to his appointment, he was Librarian and Archivist of the Holy See.
Why did you choose the theme of friendship for your conference?
-It may seem an old, even simple topic, but friendship is something that, although it is part of our daily lives, we rarely reflect on it in depth. It seemed to me a crucial topic for several reasons. First, because the university, at its core, is a story of friendship. As Pope St. John Paul II recalled, the university was born of the friendship between teachers and students who sought the truth together. This friendship, which is at the origin of the university, continues today. The university is a community of friends seeking the truth together.
You link friendship with the search for truth. How does this friendship manifest itself in today's university context?
-In the university one learns to be a friend, especially a friend of truth. The university must broaden our thirst for knowledge and be a laboratory for searching, hypothesizing, confronting and deepening our understanding of the truth. This friendship for truth is what defines a university.
Of course, a university has to be useful, to train people for specific objectives, but its first duty is to transmit this passion for the search for truth. The university is not only a place to acquire technical skills, but a space where a deep relationship with knowledge and with others is cultivated.
How do you see the role of the ecclesiastical universities in the construction of today's society?
-Ecclesiastical universities play a vital role. Although some sciences that are cultivated in them, such as Theology or Canon Law, may seem distant from social reality, in reality they are fundamental. Without these disciplines, society is impoverished.
Theology, sacred sciences, ancient literatures, the study of the word and canon law are essential sources for understanding human dignity and civil law. For this reason, ecclesiastical universities offer a very important contribution to society. They not only train professionals, but also help to build an integral vision of the human being and his place in the world.
In Spain there was a debate a few years ago about the role of Christian intellectuals. What do you think Christianity has to contribute to the social and intellectual life of the 21st century? How can Christians influence an increasingly secularized society?
-Democratic societies are pluralistic and need all contributions. Christianity offers a unique vision of the human person, his dignity and his destiny.
In a world where there is talk of transhumanism and artificial intelligence, the fundamental question is: who is the human being? Christianity has much to contribute to this debate, especially in the defense of an integral vision of the person, who is not reduced to a mere consumer or instrument.
Christians must be present in public life, reflecting on the sources of their faith and establishing a close dialogue in all media, both traditional and digital.
And how do you think Christians can get these ideas across to an increasingly secularized society? What strategies might be effective?
-We need alliancesnot trenches. We must seek forms of dialogue and social friendship that will allow us to overcome polarization and build a more just and humane society.
Christians must be able to listen and speak with humility, but also with conviction. It is not a matter of imposing ideas, but of proposing them with clarity and respect. Moreover, it is essential that Christians be present in the spaces where thought and culture are constructed, such as universities, the media and social networks.
Pope Francis has spoken a lot about the importance of friendship between the Church and artists. How do you see this dialogue between the Church and the art world? What role does art play in the life of the Church?
-Art is a spiritual experience. Artists, through their work, seek the invisible, the transcendent. The Church needs artists to translate invisible truths into visible forms.
Pope Francis has reinforced this friendship by summoning artists to the Sistine Chapel and visiting the Venice Biennale. Art is not only decorative; it is a radical search for meaning, and contemporary artists remind us that true beauty is that which carries within it the memory of suffering and compassion.
And how do you see the role of Catholic artists in this context? Do you think there is a resurgence of sacred art or artists inspired by faith?
-It's not about creating a club of Catholic artists, but about bringing everyone into dialogue. Catholic artists are a blessing for the Church, but our goal is to encourage dialogue among all artists, regardless of their faith. Art is a field of encounter and spiritual search, and that is something we should value and promote. There are artists who, from their faith, create profoundly significant works, but there are also non-believing artists who, through their work, help us to reflect on the great questions of existence. The important thing is that art continues to be a space for dialogue and the search for the transcendent.
Finally, let's talk about Catholic education. In Spain, for example, there are many Catholic schools, but not all of them transmit a solid doctrinal formation. How can we revitalize these institutions? What challenges do Catholic schools face in today's world?
-The Church is the main educational provider in the world, and this is a great responsibility. The Catholic school cannot just be a good school; it must be more. It must teach hope, offer an experience of integral humanity and form people, not just students. For this, the formation of teachers and the creation of a school community that lives the faith in a transversal way is fundamental.
Catholic identity must be clear and visible, not only in symbols, but also in the quality of the human relationships that are established.
Many Catholic schools have few teachers who are true believers. What can be done?
-We cannot accept that schools be closed or that, because of economic difficulties, our schools end up in the hands of investment funds whose educational project is unknown to us. The Catholic school has an identity and is a good for all.
Families choose a Catholic school because they know that it teaches hope and transmits an integral experience of humanity that helps to form a synthesis between the human and spiritual dimensions, the true basis of life.
A Catholic school cannot limit itself to being excellent in mathematics or any other discipline; it must have a clear and recognizable Christian identity.
And how does this identity manifest itself?
-Identity is not reduced to the presence of a chapel or religious symbols, although they are important. The Catholic identity is lived in the transversality of all the dimensions of the school: in the welcome, in the quality of human relations, in the openness and in the dialogue between faith and reason, which should occur in a natural way.
For this reason, the role of teachers and the entire educational team is fundamental. Their formation and commitment are essential to reinforce the awareness of the mission of the Catholic school and to sustain hope.
Today, in a secularized world, where many churches are emptying, Catholic schools are still full. This is a sign of credibility. To choose a Catholic school is to make a pact of trust with the Church. Families trust that there they will be formed not just a number, but a person. And that remains a fundamental truth.
* This interview was conducted on February 3, 2025.
