Roman Catholic Cardinal. Aldein born Johann Baptiste Franzelin came from a poor family. Receiving his education at the Franciscan gymnasium of Bolzano, he entered the Society of Jesus on July 27, 1834, beginning his novitiate at Graz. Pursuing further studies in Tarnapol and Lemberg in the then Austrian Poland, and later at the Collegio Romano in Rome, he entered the Pontifical Gregorian University but had to leave because of the 1848 revolution, moving to Clifford's Castle in Ugbrook, Devonshire, England. Ordained priest in December 1849, at Le Puy, France, he lectured dogmatics, Arabic, Syriac, and Chaldean at the Collegio Romano between 1850 and 1853, when he was named prefect of studies of the Collegio Germanico. In 1857, he was appointed professor of dogmatic theology, again at the Collegio Romano, a position he kept until 1876. Named consultor of the Sacred Congregation of Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs on April 23, 1869, he served as papal theologian in the First Vatican Council and made a considerable contribution to the drafting of the constitution "De Fide Catholica". Consultor of the Sacred Congregations of Propaganda Fide, Tridentine Council, Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs and 'qualificatore' of the Holy Office, Franzelin was a highly recognized theologian who published extensive works. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of April 3, 1876, with the title of Ss. Bonifacio ed Alessio by Pope Pius IX, the latter appointed him prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences and Relics on March 28, 1885. Passing away a few months later in Rome, his body was exposed in the church of San Bernardo alle Terme and was later buried in the chapel of the Society of Jesus at Campo Verano Cemetery of Rome. On the occasion of the centenary from his death, his remains were moved to his native parish church in Aldein, South Tyrol.