[1][2] The diocese of Sovana had originally been directly dependent upon the Holy See, and its bishops attended the pope's synods.

Sovana was an ancient Etruscan city, and preserved a certain importance till the end of the thirteenth century, having been the capital of the counts of Aldobrandeschi, lords of Southern Tuscany, from the days of Charlemagne.

Later it passed under the sway of the Orsini family, who transferred their residence to Pitigliano, mentioned for the first time in 1081.

In 1434, Count Gentile Orsini having been killed at Sovana, the people of Pitigliano put the town to fire and sword, and brought about its destruction.

[7] On 11 January 1844,[8] Pope Gregory XVI created the diocese of Pitigliano, and assigned it aeque principaliter to the bishop of Sovana.

[9] The Second Vatican Council, in order to ensure that all Catholics received proper spiritual attention, decreed the reorganization of the diocesan structure of Italy and the consolidation of small and struggling dioceses.

After extensive consultation, therefore, Pope John Paul II issued the apostolic constitution Abbatia SS.

Properties in Tuscany at Orbetello, Monte Argentario, Giglio Island, and Capalbio, along with the parishes established in them, as well as oratories, chapels, cemeteries, and all other ecclesiastical goods, were assigned to the diocese of Sovana-Pitigliano.

[12] The cathedral of Pitigliano began as a simple parish church, dedicated to S. Mark the Evangelist.

[27] On 23–24 September 1936, Bishop Stanislao Battistelli (1932–1952) presided over a diocesan synod in Pitigliano, in the episcopal palace.