{{Short description|Nicaraguan Catholic cardinal}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}} {{Infobox Christian leader | type = Cardinal | honorific-prefix = His Eminence | name = Leopoldo José Brenes Solórzano | honorific-suffix = | title = [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]], [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Managua|Archbishop of Managua]] | image = Leopoldo José Cardinal Brenes Solórzano (cropped).JPG | image_size = | alt = | caption = Brenes in 2014 | church = [[Catholic Church]] | archdiocese = [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Managua|Managua]] | province = | metropolis = | diocese = | see = Managua | appointed = 1 April 2005 | term_end = | predecessor = [[Miguel Obando y Bravo]] | opposed = | successor = | other_post = [[San Gioacchino ai Prati di Castello|Cardinal-Priest of San Gioacchino ai Prati di Castello]]<br/>President of Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua <!---------- Orders The Orders section may be omitted in favour of Template:Ordination for those clergy claiming Apostolic succession, such as Catholics, Orthodox and Anglicans. ----------> | ordination = 16 August 1974 | ordained_by = [[Miguel Obando y Bravo]] | consecration = 19 March 1988 | consecrated_by = Miguel Obando y Bravo | cardinal = 22 February 2014 | created_cardinal_by = [[Pope Francis]] | rank = Cardinal-Priest <!---------- Personal details ----------> | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1949|03|07}} | birth_place = [[Ticuantepe]], [[Nicaragua]] | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date then birth date) --> | death_place = | buried = | religion = [[Roman Catholic]] | parents = | previous_post = {{unbulleted list|Titular Bishop of Maturba (1988–1991)|[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Managua|Auxiliary Bishop of Managua]] (1988–1991)|[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Matagalpa|Bishop of Matagalpa]] (1991–2005)}} | alma_mater = | motto = {{lang|es|Tu me has enviado}}<br/>(You have sent me) | signature = | signature_alt = | coat_of_arms = Coat of arms of Leopoldo Jose Brenes Solorzano.svg | coat_of_arms_alt = <!---------- Other ----------> | other = }} {{Ordination | ordained deacon by = | date of diaconal ordination = | place of diaconal ordination = | ordained priest by = | date of priestly ordination = 16 August 1974 | place of priestly ordination = | consecrated by = [[Miguel Obando Bravo]] | co-consecrators = [[Paolo Giglio]]<br />[[Arturo Rivera Damas]] | date of consecration = 19 March 1988 | elevated by = [[Pope Francis]] | date of elevation = 22 February 2014 | bishop 1 = [[Carlos Enrique Herrera Gutiérrez]], OFM | consecration date 1 = 24 June 2005 | bishop 2 = [[Silvio José Báez Ortega]], OCD | consecration date 2 = 30 May 2009 | bishop 3 = [[Rolando José Álvares Lagos]] | consecration date 3 = 2 April 2011 }} {{Infobox cardinal styles |name = Leopoldo Jose Brenes Solorzano |image = Coat of arms of Leopoldo Jose Brenes Solorzano.svg |image_size = 200px |dipstyle = [[His Eminence]] |offstyle = [[His Eminence|Your Eminence]] |relstyle = [[Cardinal (Catholic)|Cardinal]] |deathstyle = }} '''Leopoldo José Brenes Solórzano''' ({{IPA|es|le.oˈpol.do xoˈse ˈβɾenes soˈloɾsano}}; born 7 March 1949) is a [[Nicaragua]]n prelate of the [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic Church]] who has been [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Managua|Archbishop of Managua]] since 2005. He was made a [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|cardinal]] in 2014. He was an auxiliary bishop in Managua from 1988 to 1991 and [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Matagalpa|Bishop of Matagalpa]] from 1991 to 2005.
==Biography== Leopoldo Brenes was born in [[Ticuantepe]] on 7 March 1949 into a poor family, one of four children born to Lilliam Solórzano Aguirre<ref name=info/> and Leo Leopoldo Brenes Flores. He studied at the Rural School of Ticuantepe, the Cristóbal Rugada School of Masaya, and the Escuela Normal of Managua and then continued his secondary studies at the National Institute of Masaya and at Colegio San José de Calasanz. He then studied philosophy at the National Seminary Nuestra Señora de Fátima of Managua and theology in Mexico at the Superior Institute of Ecclesiastical Studies (ISEE). He earned a bachelor's degree in theology at the [[Pontifical Gregorian University]] and a licentiate in dogmatic theology at the [[Pontifical Lateran University]]. He was ordained a deacon on 13 January 1974.<ref name=confbio>{{cite web|access-date=21 January 2024 | url = https://cen-nicaragua.org/mons-leopoldo-jose-brenes-solorzano/| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211126213935/https://cen-nicaragua.org/mons-leopoldo-jose-brenes-solorzano/| url-status = usurped| archive-date = 26 November 2021|language=es|website=Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua| title=Mons. Leopoldo José Brenes}}</ref>
==Priesthood== He was ordained a priest in Managua on 16 August 1974<ref name=pr20050401/> by [[Miguel Obando Bravo]]. He then 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 the Archdiocese of Managua. He was later a parish priest of Sagrada Familia, María Inmaculada, San Pío X, Espíritu Santo and Santa Rosa and San Agustín in Managua, and vicar for pastoral care of the Archdiocese of Managua and episcopal vicar for vocations and ministries.<ref name=confbio/>
==Bishop and archbishop== [[Pope John Paul II]] named him [[titular bishop]] of [[Maturba]] and appointed him auxiliary bishop of Managua on 13 February 1988.<ref>{{cite book |title=Acta Apostolicae Sedis|date=1988|volume=LXXX|page=231|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-80-1988-ocr.pdf|access-date=20 January 2024}}</ref> He was consecrated a bishop on 19 March 1988<ref name=pr20050401/> in the cathedral of Managua by Cardinal [[Miguel Obando Bravo]], Archbishop of Managua, assisted by [[Paolo Giglio]], apostolic nuncio to Nicaragua, and [[Arturo Rivera Damas]], Archbishop of San Salvador. His episcopal motto is ''Tu me has enviado''. He was made Bishop of Matagalpa on 2 November 1991<ref>{{cite book |title=Acta Apostolicae Sedis|date=1991|volume=LXXXIII|page=1090|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-83-1991-ocr.pdf|access-date=20 January 2024}}</ref> and appointed Archbishop of Managua on 1 April 2005, the day before John Paul II's death.<ref name=pr20050401>{{cite press release | publisher=Holy See Press Office | access-date= 20 January 2024| date = 1 April 2005 | language=it | title= Rinunce e Nomine, 01.04.2005|url= https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2005/04/01/0176/00375.html}}</ref> He took possession of the see on 21 May.{{cn|date=January 2024}} He received the [[pallium]] from [[Pope Benedict XVI]] on 29 June 2005.<ref>{{cite web | access-date = 21 January 2024 | language = it | publisher = Holy See Press Office | url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2005/06/30/0352/00831.html | title = UDIENZA AGLI ARCIVESCOVI METROPOLITI CHE HANNO RICEVUTO IL SACRO PALLIO, 30.06.2005}}</ref>
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. He has served as a delegate for the Eucharistic Congresses, delegate to the Special Assembly for Latin America of the Synod of Bishops, delegate to the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM), president of the CELAM Commission Family-Life-Youth, and president of the Episcopal Secretariat of Central America (SEDAC). He has been vice-president of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua and its president, became president in 2006.<ref name=confbio/><ref name=info/> He ended a term as president in 2021, when he was elected to a three-year term as vice-president.<ref>{{cite news | access-date = 21 January 2024 | language = es |url = https://www.aciprensa.com/noticias/90998/eligen-al-nuevo-presidente-del-episcopado-de-nicaragua|publisher = ACI Prensa | date = 19 November 2021 | title = Eligen al nuevo presidente del Episcopado de Nicaragua | first =Diego |last=López Marina}}</ref>
Pope Benedict named him to a five-year term as a member of the [[Pontifical Commission for Latin America]] on 8 October 2009.<ref>{{cite press release | publisher=Holy See Press Office | access-date= 13 May 2018| date = 8 October 2009 | language=it | title= Rinunce e Nomine, 08.10.2009 |url= http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2009/10/08/0620/01457.html }}</ref>
==Cardinal== On 22 February 2014, [[Pope Francis]] made him a cardinal, assigning him the titular church of [[San Gioacchino ai Prati di Castello]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Galeazzi|first=Giacomo|title=19 new cardinals created in Consistory in the presence of two Popes |url=http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/concistoro-2014-32260/ |access-date= 13 May 2018|newspaper=Vatican Insider |date=22 February 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161221092344/http://www.lastampa.it/2014/02/22/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/new-cardinals-created-in-consistory-in-the-presence-of-two-popes-ZBGZyuyP3ptQ2EN93JKiTO/pagina.html|archive-date=21 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release | publisher=Holy See Press Office | access-date= 13 May 2018| date = 22 February 2014 | url= http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2014/02/22/0130/00280.html | language=it | title= Concistoro Ordinario Pubblico per la Creazione dei Nuovi Cardinali: Assegnazione dei Titoli o delle Diaconie ai Nuovi Porporati, 22.02.2014 }}</ref> He was the second Nicaraguan and the third Central American to become a cardinal.<ref name=info>{{cite news | access-date = 21 January 2024|language=es|url = https://infovaticana.com/tag/leopoldo-jose-brenes-solorzano/ | publisher = Info Vaticana | title =Quién es Leopoldo José Brenes Solórzano?|date=22 February 2014}}</ref> On 15 January 2014 Pope Francis confirmed his membership in the Pontifical Commission for Latin America<ref>{{cite press release | publisher=Holy See Press Office | access-date= 13 May 2018| date = 15 January 2014 | language=it | title= Rinunce e Nomine, 15.01.2014 |url= http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2014/01/15/0031/00060.html }}</ref> and on 22 May 2014 made him a member of the [[Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace]].<ref>{{cite press release | publisher=Holy See Press Office | access-date= 13 May 2018| date = 22 May 2014 | language=it | title= Rinunce e Nomine, 22.05.2014 |url= http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2014/05/22/0365/00822.html }}</ref>
He participated as a [[Cardinal electors in the 2025 papal conclave|cardinal elector]] in the [[2025 papal conclave]] that elected [[Pope Leo XIV]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/scardc3.html| title=Cardinal Electors|date=6 May 2025|publisher=Catholic-Hierarchy.org|language=en|access-date=6 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506193115/https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/scardc3.html|archive-date=6 May 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>
==See also== *[[Cardinals created by Francis]]
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{wikiquote|Leopoldo José Brenes Solórzano}} {{commonscat|Leopoldo José Brenes Solórzano}}
* {{cite web| access-date = 23 November 2017| title= Brenes Solórzano Card. Leopoldo José |publisher= [[Holy See Press Office]] | url= https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_brenes-solorzano_lj.html | url-status=live | archive-date= 4 September 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170904070645/http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_brenes-solorzano_lj.html }} *[http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bbrenes.html Leopoldo Brenes Solorzano]
{{s-start}} {{s-rel|ca}} {{s-bef|before=[[Carlos Jose Santi Brugia]], OFM|years=1982–1991}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Matagalpa|Bishop of Matagalpa]]|years=2 November 1991 – 1 April 2005}} {{s-aft|after=[[Jorge Solorzano Perez]]|years=2005–2010}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Miguel Obando Bravo]]|years=1970–2005}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Managua|Archbishop of Managua]]|years=1 April 2005–present}} {{s-inc|rows=3}} {{s-bef|before=[[Rene Socrates Sandigo]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua|President of Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua]]|years=2014–present}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Michele Giordano]]|years=1988}} {{s-ttl|title=Cardinal Priest of [[San Gioacchino ai Prati di Castello]]|years=22 February 2014–present}} {{s-end}}
{{Cardinals of the Catholic Church|state=collapsed}} {{Cardinals created by Francis}} {{Subject bar |portal1= Biography |portal2= Christianity |portal3= Nicaragua}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brenes, Leopoldo}} [[Category:1949 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:21st-century Roman Catholic archbishops in Nicaragua]] [[Category:Pontifical Lateran University alumni]] [[Category:Cardinals created by Pope Francis]] [[Category:Nicaraguan cardinals]] [[Category:Pontifical Gregorian University alumni]] [[Category:Members of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace]] [[Category:Members of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America]] [[Category:People from Managua Department]] [[Category:Roman Catholic bishops of Matagalpa]] [[Category:Roman Catholic archbishops of Managua]] [[Category:Roman Catholic bishops of Managua]]