Cardinal Leonardo Ulrich Steiner, O.F.M., Metropolitan Archbishop of Manaus (Brazil), was born on 6 November 1950 in Forquilhinha, State of Santa Catarina, in the diocese of Criciúma, Brazil.

He made his religious profession in the Order of Friars Minor on 2 August 1976 and was ordained a priest on 21 January 1978. He studied philosophy and theology with the Franciscans in Petrópolis. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and pedagogy at the Salesian Faculty of Lorraine. He was awarded a licentiate and doctorate in philosophy at the Pontifical Antonianum University in Rome. After his studies and a period as deputy parish priest and parish priest, he served as formator in the seminary until 1986, and master of novices from 1986 to 1995.

From 1995 to 2003, he was professor of philosophy and secretary of the Antonianum. Returning to Brazil in 2003, he served as deputy parish priest of the Bom Jesus parish in the archdiocese of Curitiba, as well as lecturer in the Bom Jesus Faculty of Philosophy.

On 2 February 2005, he was appointed bishop prelate of São Félix and received episcopal ordination on the following 16 April. On 21 September 2011 he was appointed titular bishop of Tisiduo and auxiliary of Brasilia.

From May 2011 to May 2019 he served as secretary general of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil.

On 27 November 2019, the Holy Father Francis appointed him metropolitan archbishop of Manaus, Brazil.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory of 27 August 2022, of the Title of S. Leonardo da Porto Maurizio ad Acilia.

Member of:

• Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.