The Italian Catholic diocese of Ascoli Piceno, in the Marche

Marche

The population density in the region is below the national average. In 2008, it was 161.5 inhabitants per km2, compared to the national figure of 198.8. It is highest in the province of Ancona , and lowest in the province of Macerata...

, has existed since the fourth century. Historically immediately dependent on the Holy See

Holy See

The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...

, it is now a suffragan of the archdiocese of Fermo.

History

The traces of this bishopric appear in the fourth century with St. Emidius, martyred under Diocletian

Diocletian

Diocletian |latinized]] upon his accession to Diocletian . c. 22 December 244  – 3 December 311), was a Roman Emperor from 284 to 305....

 and Claudius, present at the Synod of Rimini (Arian Controversy, 359). In the fifth century, Lusentius, who was present at the Synod of Milan

Synod of Milan

There are at least four synods that can be called Synod of Milan , all of which took place in Mediolanum .- Synod of 345 :...

 which sent the famous letter to Pope Leo I (440-461), was bishop of Ascoli.

One of its bishops, Giulio de' Medici, afterwards became Pope Clement VII

Pope Clement VII

Clement VII , born Giulio di Giuliano de' Medici, was a cardinal from 1513 to 1523 and was Pope from 1523 to 1534.-Early life:...

(1523-34).