“Soderini was obliged to explain to Julius that Michelangelo was not to take a step unless he had in his hand a letter of safe conduct from Francesco Alidosi, cardinal of Pavia, the pope’s closest confidant and the man who had overseen the initial transfer of one thousand ducats for the pope’s tomb. Soderini emphasized that above all, they must deal very gently with Michelangelo lest they cause him to flee from Florence, as he had already attempted twice.”