PARENZO, PIETRO. – Of a noble Roman family, he was sent by Innocent III, at the request of the citizens, as rector or podestà of Orvieto in February 1199, with the mission of restoring peace in the city and curbing the audacity of the Cathar heretics. In carrying out his task, he was treacherously killed by them on the night of 20 May 1199. Contemporary sources speak of miracles that occurred at his tomb; there was no canonization, but only a local cult, confirmed by the Sacred Congregation of Rites on 16 March 1879 for the diocese of Orvieto.
BIBL.: V. PATARINI, S. P. P., la leggenda scritta dal maestro Giovanni canonico di Orvieto, Rome 1936. Pio Paschini