Cardinal Karl Josef  Becker, S.I., Professor emeritus of the Pontifical Gregorian University, born on 18 April 1928 in Köln, Federal Republic of Germany.

He holds a doctorate in sacred theology. In 1948 he entered the Company of Jesus and was ordained a priest on 31 July 1958.

In 1963 he taught theology at the Hochschule Sankt Georgen in Germany.

In 1969 he was called to Rome and taught dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University. From 1972-1985 he was editor-in-chief of the journal "Gregorianum". In addition to his teaching and academic research, in 1985 he began working alongside Cardinal-Prefect Joseph Ratzinger as consultor of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and from 1997-1999 he participated in the preparations for the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification.

In 2003 he became professor emeritus at the Pontifical Gregorian University.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Benedict XVI in the consistory of 18 February 2012, of the Deaconry of S. Giuliano Martire (St. Julian Martyr).

Cardinal Karl Josef  Becker, S.I., died on 10 February 2015.