St. Cornelius lived in the third century. After being elected the 21st pope, he worked for the unity of the church during a time when the anti-pope Novatian claimed he was the true pontiff. The Romans exiled St. Cornelius in an effort to punish Christians who they said brought plagues against Rome. A document by St. Cornelius shows that the church in Rome had approximately 46 priests and 50,000 Christians during his papacy. The saint died a martyr in 253. St. Cornelius is patron saint of cows and against earache.