 Pope John XXIII created him a cardinal at the consistory held on 14 December 1959 and he received his red biretta in Paris from President Charles de Gaulle.He announced him as Cardinal-Priest of Sant'Andrea delle Fratte in the consistory of 28 March 1960.Appointed Archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica and Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of the Fabric of St. Peter's Basilica on 14 August 1961, Marella attended the Second Vatican Council from 1962 to 1965, and was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 1963 papal conclave, which elected Pope Paul VI.