Its ruins are known as the Ponte Rotto to this day.
Julius III.

died in 1555, and Cardinal Marcello Cervini was elected in his stead, under the title of Marcellus II.

He had been Michael Angelo's adversary at the great conference, so the hopes of the Setti Sangalleschi revived, and Michael Angelo began to think of accepting the oft-repeated invitations of the Duke of Tuscany, who had long pressed him to come and reside again in Florence, and dignify his native city with his presence during his remaining years; but Marcellus died after a reign of only a few weeks, and Pius IV., the next Pope, persuaded Michael Angelo not to forsake his work at Saint Peter's.

In a letter to Vasari, intended for the ears of the Duke, Michael Angelo states his mind.( 166) "_To_ MESSER GIORGIO, _Excellent Painter, in Florence._ "I was set to work upon Saint Peter's by force, and I have served now about eight years, not only for nothing, but with the utmost injury and discomfort to myself.

Now that the work is getting forward, and there is money to spend, and I am about to turn the vault of the cupola, if I left Rome it would be the ruin of the edifice, and for me a great disgrace throughout all Christendom, and to my soul a grievous sin.