I also, having access to his Holiness, heard it from his lips with my own ears, and more also, that if he survives him, as in the natural course of life is probable, he will have Michael Angelo's body embalmed and keep it near him, so that it should be as lasting as his works.

He said this at the beginning of his Pontificate to Michael Angelo himself in the presence of many.

I do not know what could be more honourable to Michael Angelo than these words, or a greater proof of the esteem in which the Pope holds him.
LIX.

Again the Pope showed his esteem plainly when Pope Paul died and he was created Pontiff, in a consistory, all the Cardinals then in Rome being present.

He defended Michael Angelo and protected him from the overseers of the fabric of St.Peter's, who, for no fault of his, as they said, but of his servants, wished to deprive him of, or at least to restrain, that authority given him by Pope Paul by a _moto proprio_, of which more will be said below.