TARUGI, FRANCESCO MARIA. — Cardinal, born at Montepulciano on 27 August 1525, died in Rome on 11 June 1608.
The nephew of Giulio III and a kinsman of Marcello II, brilliant, learned, and amiable, he was introduced at a young age to a career in the Curia. In 1565, won over by the charm of s. Filippo Neri, he entered the Congregation of the Oratory. In 1571 he accompanied Cardinal Bonelli on his journey to the sovereigns of Europe to promote the league against the Turks. In 1586 he founded the Oratory of Naples, where he remained until 1592, when Clement VIII appointed him Archbishop of Avignon.
He distinguished that see through his virtues and zeal in implementing the Tridentine reform and converting heretics; he introduced the Philippine Oratory into France, from which the Congregation of Bérulle later originated. In June 1596 he was raised to the purple, and in 1597 he was transferred to the see of Siena. That year he established peace between the dukes of Parma and Mantua. Along with Baronio, T. was one of the Oratory’s most illustrious glories and among the beloved sons of s. Filippo. In 1606 he resigned the see of Siena and wished to retire among his confrères at the Vallicella.