PIETRO IGNEO, blessed. — Of Florentine origin, born at the beginning of the 11th century.
He entered the Order of Vallombrosa during the lifetime of its holy founder. He was given the name Igneo because, at the command of his abbot, he passed unharmed through the flames in order to demonstrate the guilt of Pietro di Pavia, bishop of Florence, who was devoted to simony. Gregory VII created him cardinal bishop of Albano in 1074 and subsequently often employed him on legations in Italy, France, and Germany. He worked extensively for the restoration of ecclesiastical discipline. He was immediately venerated in the monastery of Vallombrosa, but his name was entered in the Roman Martyrology only in 1673. Feast day: 8 February.
BIBL.: Acta SS. Iunii, Antwerp 1723, p. 458; A. Salvini, S. P. I., Alba 1929; Martyr. Romanum, p. 55. Alberto Ghinato