The Cardinal Leonardo Ulrich Steiner, Archbishop of Manaus—in the heart of the Amazon—and a prominent figure in the Brazilian episcopate, has submitted his letter of resignation to Pope Leo XIV, upon reaching the age of 75, as established by the Code of Canon Law. The news was confirmed by ACI Digital on November 10, 2025.
The resignation, customary for bishops who reach the age limit, does not imply his immediate retirement, as it is up to the Pope to decide whether to accept the resignation or ask him to continue in office for a time. In the meantime, Steiner remains at the helm of the Archdiocese of Manaus, one of Brazil’s most influential sees and a reference for the so-called “Amazonian face” of the Church.
A Long Journey in the Church
Born in 1950 in Forquilhinha (Santa Catarina), Steiner entered the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans) and was ordained a priest in 1978. He exercised his ministry in various areas of formation and teaching before being appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Brasília (2011) and later Archbishop of Manaus (2019), a see he has presided over until now.
During the pontificate of Francis, his figure gained special relevance as General Secretary of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) and then as one of the main promoters of the Synod for the Amazon, held in 2019. In 2022, he was created a cardinal, becoming the first purple born in the Amazon region.
Pastoral Style and Ecological Vision
Throughout his episcopal ministry, Cardinal Steiner has promoted a pastoral approach marked by integral ecology, interreligious dialogue, and closeness to riverside communities. Under his leadership, the Archdiocese of Manaus has been one of the most active centers in the implementation of Laudato si’ and in articulating initiatives linked to the Amazonian ecclesial process.
His interventions usually emphasize the connection between Christian faith and respect for nature. However, some of his speeches generate concern due to their closeness to the environmentalist rhetoric promoted by international organizations and NGOs.
“The Earth is Mother”: Statements at the Feast of Saint Francis
On October 4, during an event prior to COP30 and in the context of the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the cardinal stated that “the dominators do not understand that water is sister, the sun is brother, and the earth is mother”.
Although the reference alludes to Saint Francis’s Canticle of the Creatures, the way it was presented—without a clear reference to God as Creator—runs the risk of confusing the poetic metaphor with a pantheistic vision.
The concern lies in the fact that this type of language, if disconnected from the Christian theology of creation, can lead to a “naturalistic spiritualism” where nature assumes an almost divine role.