The first block of marble was found to be faulty, so another one had to be carved.

The work was not completed until 1521.

It is now in the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva at Rome.
In 1515 Michael Angelo was still at work on the Tomb, but apprehensive of interruption from Pope Leo.
_To_ BUONARROTO DI LODOVICO SIMONI, _in Florence_.
"BUONARROTO,--I have written the letter to Filipo Strozzi; see if you like it and give it to him.

If it is not well, I know he will hold me excused, for it is not my profession; enough if it serves its purpose.

I wish you to go to the Spedalingo( 120) of Santa Maria Nuova, and tell him to pay to me here one thousand and four hundred ducats of what he has of mine, because I must make a great effort this summer to finish my work quickly, because I expect soon to have to enter the Pope's service.