The Diocese of Pistoia () is a Latin diocese of the Catholic Church located in the Province of Florence. It has existed since the third century. From 1653 to 1954, the historic diocese was the diocese of Pistoia and Prato. The Diocese of Prato has been separate from 1954.On 7 July 1954, a Bishop of Prato, Pietro Fiordelli, Secret Chamberlain of His Holiness, was appointed: Acta Apostolicae Sedis 46 (Città del Vaticano 1954), p. 420. The diocese is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Florence.

History The name of Pistoia appears for the first time in history in connection with the conspiracy of Catiline (62 BC),Patricia J. Osmond, "Catiline in Fiesole and Florence: The After-Life of a Roman Conspirator," International Journal of the Classical Tradition 7, no. 1 (2000): 3-38. but it was only after the sixth century that it became important; it was governed, first, by its bishops, later by stewards of the Marquis of Tuscany. It was the first to establish its independence, after the death of Countess Matilda, and its municipal statutes were the most ancient of their kind in Italy.

Pistoia claims to have received the Gospel from Romulus of Fiesole, the first Bishop of Fiesole. There is no proof of this claim. Neither is there evidence of a 3rd century foundation of the diocese. The first documentary evidence of a Bishop of Pistoia, however, is c.492, though the name of this prelate is unknown.

In 998, the cathedral of Pistoia was dedicated in honor of Ss. Zeno, Rufinus and Felix, none of whom was a bishop of Pistoia.Lanzoni, p. 584.

As early as 1409, Florence had asked for the creation of a diocese at Prato, on account of the dissensions of the collegiate church of Prato with the Bishops of Pistoia; and in 1460, it had been made a prelatura nullius, and often given to some cardinal, in commendam.

On 22 September 1653, Prato was made a diocese by Pope Innocent X through the bull Redemptoris Nostri, and united aeque principaliter, with Pistoia.Cappelletti, Le chiese d'Italia XVII, pp. 148-153.

In the first half of the 20th century, both the populations and the commercial activities of Pistoia and of Prato had greatly increased. Explicitly recognizing these facts, on 25 January 1954, by virtue of the bull Clerus Populusque, Pope Pius XII separated the diocese of Prato from the diocese of Pistoia, which had up to then been united through having one and the same bishop, though maintaining separate diocesan structures.Acta Apostolicae Sedis 46 (Città del Vaticano 1954), pp. 390-392: "Pratensem et Pistoriensem dioeceses in vicem separamus, quae ad hunc diem aeque principaliter ac perpetuo unitae exstabant; ita ut in posterum tempus unaquaeque earum dignitatem dioecesis servet, ac proprium Episcopum habeat." Prato was to have its own bishop, and any adjustments which had to be made between the two dioceses were to be adjudicated by the Metropolitan, the Archbishop of Florence.

On 14 October 2023, with the appointment of Fausto Tardelli as bishop of Pescia, the Diocese of Pescia was united with the Diocese of Pistoia in the person of a single bishop.

Chapter and cathedral The cathedral, which was dedicated to S. Zeno, was originally administered by a Chapter, composed of twenty-two Canons, led by four ancient dignities; to these four were later added six more. The dignities included: the Archdeacon, the Dean, the Primicerius, the Treasurer, the Prior, the Sacristan, the Rector, and the Custos. At Pistoia the right of patronage over individual dignities was recognized: the Pandolfini of Florence over the Archdeaconate; the Panciatici over the Deanship; the Conversini over the Primicerius; the Bracciolini over the Treasurership; the Panciatici over the Priorate; the Alfarali over the Sacristan; the Gualfreducci over the Rectorate; and the Marchettae over the Custos.Ughelli, Italia sacra III, p. 284.

In 1667, Bishop Francesco Rinuccini (1656–1678) and the cathedral Chapter clashed over the right to appoint to vacant canonries, which were supposed to be done jointly by the bishop and Chapter. The matter was settled in an agreement of 27 September 1667, in which it was agreed that the bishop and the Chapter would make appointments alternately.Rosati, p. 202.

In 1776 the Chapter of the cathedral of Pistoia was composed of eleven dignities and twenty-seven Canons. The Chapter of Prato was composed of five dignities (originally six: the Provost, the Primicerius, the Archpriest, the Archdeacon, the Dean, and the Treasurer) and twenty-six Canons.Cappelletti, XVII, pp. 150-151. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VI, p. 340, note 1.

Diocesan synods A diocesan synod was an irregularly held, but important, meeting of the bishop of a diocese and his clergy. Its purpose was (1) to proclaim generally the various decrees already issued by the bishop; (2) to discuss and ratify measures on which the bishop chose to consult with his clergy; (3) to publish statutes and decrees of the diocesan synod, of the provincial synod, and of the Holy See. John Paul II, Constitutio Apostolica de Synodis Dioecesanis Agendis (March 19, 1997): Acta Apostolicae Sedis 89 (1997), pp. 706-727.

Bishop Thomas held a synod in 1322. Bishop Hermannus Anastasi (1307–1321) presided over a diocesan synod on 8 December 1308. He held another synod in 1313.J. D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XXV (Venice: A. Zatta 1782), pp. 169-174 (in Latin). Rosati, pp. 106-107. Bishop Baronto Ricciardi (1322–1348) held a diocesan synod on 7 September 1322, at which the bishop and synod ratified the decrees of the synods of Bishop Thomas and Bishop Ermanno Anastasi.Rosati, p. 111.

Bishop Francesco Rinuccini (1656–1678) held a diocesan synod in Prato in 1662. He held synods in Pistoia in 1662 and 1669.Rosati, p. 202.

Bishop Gherardo Gherardi (1679–1690) held three diocesan synods in Pistoia, the third of which was celebrated on 21 May 1685.Tertia Synodus dioecesana Pistoriensis celebrata duodecimo kalendas Iunii ab illustriss. ac reverendiss d.d. Gherardo Gherardio episcopo Pistoriensi et Pratensi, (Pistoia: Fortunati 1685). Bishop Leone Strozzi, O.S.B. (1690–1700) held a diocesan synod in Pistoia in the cathedral on 19 September 1694.

Bishop Michele Cortigiani (1703–1713) held a diocesan synod in the cathedral of Pistoia on 28 April 1707.Constitutiones synodi dioecesanae pistoriensis habitae in cath. Eccl. IV Kal. Maii MDCCVII Michaele Carolo Vicedomino Cortigianio episcopo pistoriensi et pratensi (Pistoia: Gatti 1707). Bishop Colombino Bassi, O.S.B. (1715–1732) held a diocesan synod on 5 June 1721.

In September 1786, Bishop Scipione de' Ricci (1780–1791) held a diocesan synod, and published the constitutions and decrees. Eighty-five of the propositions in the decrees were condemned by Pope Pius VI in the bull Auctorem fidei of August 28, 1794, four of which were specifically labeled as heretical.

Bishops Diocese of Pistoia to 1200

... Anonymous (c.492–496)A bishop of Pistoia, whose name is not mentioned, is alluded to in a letter of Pope Gelasius I (492–496). J. D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus VIII (Florence: A. Zatta 1759), p. 127. Lanzoni, p. 584, no. 1. ... Joannes (700)In 700 Joannes is bishop-elect. Rosati, pp. 16-19. Gams, p. 750 column 1. Cappelletti, p. 81. ... Willretradus (Guillerado) (attested 806–812)Cappelletti, p. 81, claims (following Ughelli, p. 290) that he succeeded to the throne in 801. Rosati, pp. 19-23. ... Lamprandus (attested 826)Bishop Lamprandus attended the Roman synod of Pope Eugenius II in 826. J. D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XIV (Venice: A. Zatta 1769), p. 1000. Rosati, pp. 23-24. ... Gausprandus (attested 844)Bishop Gausprandus (Quasprandus) attended the coronation of Louis, son of Lothair, as King of the Lombards, in Rome on 15 June 844. Ughelli, p. 290. Rosati, pp. 24-26. Cappelletti, p. 82. Oschisius (attested 850, 877)Bishop Oschisius (Oschisus, Osipo) was present at the Roman synod of 861. Ughelli, p. 290. J. D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XV (Venice: A. Zatta 1770), p. 602, 604. Rosati, pp. 26-29 (who believes that he was two people, Osipo and Oschisius. Cappelletti, p. 82. ... Asterius (attested c. 901, 904)Rosati, pp. 29-31. Wido (Guido) (attested 916, c.937)Wido: Rosati, pp. 31-32. Hubertus (Uberto)Hubertus: Rosati, pp. 32-34. Raimbaldus (attested 940, 941)Rambaldus was a native of Pistoia and a Canon of the cathedral. Rosati, pp. 34-37. Joannes (attested 951, 982)Joannes: Rosati, pp. 37-39. Schwartz, p. 219. Antoninus (attested 985, 1011)Antoninus: Rosati, pp. 42-45. Cappelletti, p. 85. Wido (attested 1012)Wido (Guido): Rosati, p. 46. Cappelletti, pp. 85-86. Restaldus (attested 1018, 1023)Restaldus: Rosati, pp. 46-49. Cappelletti, p. 86. Wido (attested 1024–1042)Wido (Guido): Rosati, pp. 49-52. Cappelletti, p. 86. Martinus (attested 1043–1057)Martinus: Cappelletti, p. 87. Schwartz, p. 220. ... Leo (attested 1065, 1085)Bishop Leo joined in the schism of Emperor Henry IV and Bishop Wibert of Ravenna, who called himself Clement III (1080–1100). Ughelli, pp. 290-292. Cappelletti, pp. Schwartz, p. 220. Petrus, O.S.B.Vall. (attested 1086, 1100)Petrus: Ughelli, p. 292. Schwartz, p. 220. Ildebrando, O.S.B.Vall. (1105–1131)Ildebrandus is called bishop-elect in a document of August 1105. He is last mentioned on 10 September 1131. Cappelletti, pp. 89-91 (with many errors). Schwartz, p. Atto (1135–1153);A Lusitanian, Atto had been Abbot of Vallombroso. In a document of December 1133, Pope Innocent II confirmed the privileges and territories of the diocese of Pistoia. Atto died on 22 May 1153. Kehr, PP. 119-120, no. 6. Tracia (1154–1175)On 14 February 1154, Pope Anastasius IV confirmed to Bishop Tracia the privileges and possessions of the Church of Pistoia. Kehr, p. 122, no. 19. Cappelletti, p. 97. Raynaldus Guidi (attested 1178–1187)Raynaldus belonged to the family of the Counts of Romena, and was a Canon of the cathedral Chapter. Cappelletti, pp. 97-98. Gams, p. 750 column 2. Both Cappelletti and Gams place Raynaldus' death in 1189. Ughelli, p. 299, puts it in 1186. Bonus (1187–1208)Umberto Benigni, "Pistoia", states that Bonus was the author of De cohabitatione clericorum et mulierum. This is a mistake, as Rosati, p. 81, pointed out. Actually, Bonus posed questions to Pope Innocent III on two occasions, and the Pope provided answers (rescripta). Eubel, Hierarchia catholica I, p. 400.

from 1200 to 1500

Soffredus (1208–1210)Soffredus: Eubel, Hierarchia catholica I, p. 400. Soffredus Soffredi (c. 1211–1222 resigned) Thomas (1222) Gratiadeus Berlinghieri (1223–1250) Guidalostus Vergiolesi (1252–1286) Thomas Andrei (1286–1303) Bartholomaeus Sinibaldi (1303–1307)Bishop Guintoncini Sinibaldi (Sigisbondi) was a native of Foligno and a Canon of its cathedral Chapter. He was approved by Pope Benedict XI on 2 November 1303. transferred to the diocese of Foligno. Rosati, pp. 104-105. Eubel I, pp. 256, 400. Hermannus Anastasi (1307–1321)Bishop Ermanno was approved by Pope Clement V on 4 December 1307. On 8 December 1308 he held a diocesan synod; in 1313 he held another. He died on 15 August 1321. Rosati, pp. 106-108. Eubel I, p. 256. Barontius Ricciardi (1322–1348)Baronto Ricciardi belonged to a noble family of Pistoia. He was Archpriest of the cathedral, and was appointed bishop by Pope John XXII on 19 February 1322. He held a diocesan synod on 7 September 1322. He served as papal legate in Bologna and Picenum. He attended the provincial synod in Florence in 1327. Rosati, pp. 107-112. Eubel I, p. 256.