There is no doubt that, but for the Pope's protection, he would have been removed from this world.

What added to Alessandro's enmity was that when he was planning the fortress which he afterwards erected, he sent Messer Vitelli for Michelangelo, ordering him to ride with them, and to select a proper position for the building.
Michelangelo refused, saying that he had received no commission from the Pope.

The Duke waxed very wroth; and so, through this new grievance added to old grudges and the notorious nature of the Duke, Michelangelo not unreasonably lived in fear.

It was certainly by God's aid that he happened to be away from Florence when Clement died." Michelangelo was bound under solemn obligations to execute no work but what the Pope ordered for himself or permitted by the contract with the heirs of Julius.

Therefore he acted in accordance with duty when he refused to advise the tyrant in this scheme for keeping the city under permanent subjection.