PIETRO IGNEO, blessed - The Blessed passes unharmed through the flames. Sculpture by Benedetto da Rovezzano (15th cent.) - Florence, National Museum.
With Giovanni de Tecto he took part in Cortez’s expedition to Honduras in 1524 and then returned to the city of Messico, where he spent his entire life, above all in the education of the young, establishing schools and teaching, besides Christian doctrine, the arts, music, and work, in order to bring about the conversion of their relatives and to destroy the remnants of idolatry. Mendieta, a historian of somewhat later date, says that he built more than 100 churches or chapels, including the church of S. Francesco in Messico. He vigorously defended the Indi before Carlo V, and consequently encountered various difficulties or hostilities on the part of the Spaniards. Under a false accusation, toward the end of his life he was sent into exile at Tlascala, whence he soon returned, triumphantly welcomed by the Indi. He died amid the grief of the Indi after 50 years of apostolate. Five letters of his remain.