The Pope celebrated in person, and, according to custom on high state occasions, the water with which he washed his hands before and during the ceremony had to be presented by personages of importance.

"This duty," says Buonarroto, "fell first to one of the Signori, who was Giannozzo Salviati; and as I happened that morning to be Proposto, I went the second time to offer water to his Holiness; the third time, this was done by the Duke of Camerino, and the fourth time by the Gonfalonier of Justice." Buonarroto remarks that "he feels pretty certain it will be all the same to Michelangelo whether he hears or does not hear about these matters.

Yet, from time to time, when I have leisure, I scribble a few lines." Buonarroto himself was interested in this event; for, having been one of the Priors, he received from Leo the title of Count Palatine, with reversion to all his posterity.

Moreover, for honourable addition to his arms, he was allowed to bear a chief charged with the Medicean ball and fleur-de-lys, between the capital letters L.and X.
Whether Leo conceived the plan of finishing the facade of S.Lorenzo at Florence before he left Rome, or whether it occurred to him during this visit, is not certain.

The church had been erected by the Medici and other magnates from Brunelleschi's designs, and was perfect except for the facade.