Cardinal Leopoldo José Brenes Solórzano, Archbishop of Managua (Nicaragua), was born in Ticuantepe, archdiocese of Managua, on 7 March 1949. He completed his studies in philosophy and theology at the national seminary in Managua and in the council seminary of the archdiocese of México. He then earned his baccalaureate in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University and licentiate in dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome.

He was ordained a priest in Managua on 16 August 1974. 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.

On 13 February 1988 he was appointed as titular bishop of Maturba and auxiliary of Managua. He received episcopal ordination on 19 March 1988.

On 2 November 1991, he was appointed as bishop of Matagalpa. There he served as secretary general of the bishops’ conference, and organized the Eucharistic-Marian conference, and participated in the Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops.

On 1 April 2005, Pope John Paul II appointed him as archbishop of Managua.

He served as president of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua from 2005 to 2011, and then again in November 2014. He was also member of the Commission for vocations and ministers at the Episcopal Council of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAM) and president of the Episcopal  Secretariat of Central America (SEDAC).

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory of 22 February 2014, of the Title of San Gioacchino ai Prati di Castello.