St. Bonaventure was born at Bagnorca near Viterbo in 1221. Having joined the Franciscan Order he went to Paris for his studies where his master was Alexander of Hales. He was made General of his Order and deserves to be reckoned its second founder for his work in consolidating an institution that was as yet ill-defined in nature. Gregory X created him Cardinal Bishop of Albano. St. Bonaventure died at Lyons in 1274 during the general Council between Greeks and Latins held in this city. He was canonized in 1482; Dante had already included him among the inhabitants of his “Paradise.”