Leopoldo Brenes

Leopoldo José Brenes Solórzano (Ticuantepe, 7 March 1949) is a Nicaraguan cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the archbishop of Managua since 2005. Previously, he was bishop of Matagalpa from 1991 until 2005.

Pope Francis, on 22 February 2014, inducted the archbishop, along with 18 others, into the College of Cardinals.

He studies at Rural School of Ticuantepe, at Cristóbal Rugada School of Masaya and at Escuela Normal of Managua; secondaries studies at the National Institute of Masaya; and at Colegio San José de Calasanz; then, studied at the National Seminary Nuestra Señora de Fátima of Managua (philosophy); at the Superior Institute of Ecclesiastical Studies (ISEE), Méxio (theology); at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome (bachelor's in theology); and at the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome, where he obtained a licentiate in dogmatic theology. Received the diaconate on January 13, 1974.

He was ordained a priest in Managua on 16 August 1974 by Miguel Obando Bravo, SDB. As a priest, he served in a number of roles, including: priest in the parishes of "Tisma", "Las Brisas", "la Asunción", and "St. Pius X" in Managua, and vicar for pastoral care and substitute vicar general of Managua. And later, of the parishes of Sagrada Familia, María Inmaculada, San Pío X, Espíritu Santo and Santa Rosa and San Agustín, in Managua. Vicar for pastoral of the archdiocese of Managua. Episcopal vicar for vocations and ministries

Elected titular bishop of Maturba and appointed auxiliary of Managua, February 13, 1988. Consecrated, March 19, 1988, metropolitan cathedral of Managua, by Cardinal Miguel Obando Bravo, S.D.B., archbishop of Managua, assisted by Paolo Giglio, titular archbishop of Tindari, apostolic nuncio in Nicaragua, and by Arturo Rivera Damas, S.D.B., archbishop of San Salvador. His episcopal motto is Tu me has enviado. Transferred to the see of Matagalpa, November 2, 1991. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Managua, April 1, 2005, as its fourth archbishop. Took possession of the see on the following May 21. Received the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI on June 29, 2005 at the papal Vatican basilica. In the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua he has been president of the Commission for Vocations and Ministries; secretary general of the Episcopal Conference; president of Cáritas Nacional; president of the Commission for Catechesis; and president of the Commission for Social Communications. Delegate for the Eucharistic Congresses. Delegate to the Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops. Delegate to the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM). President of the CELAM Commission Family-Life-Youth. President of the Episcopal Secretariat of Central America (SEDAC). Vice-president of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua; and currently, its president.

On February 22, 2014, Pope Francis created him a cardinal. In a solemn ceremony, he was given his red hat, cardinalatial ring, and a titular church of San Gioacchino ai Prati di Castello. On May 22, 2014, he was named member of the Pontifical Council Iustitia et Pax and of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. On Sunday October 5, 2014, he took possession of the title of S. Gioacchino ai Prati di Castello.