He held positions similar to his Julian Chapel appointment at other chapels and churches in Rome during the next decade . In 1571 he returned to the Julian Chapel, and remained at St. Peter's for the rest of his life.

Palestrina was one of the foremost composers of the 16th century. His technical mastery of contrapuntal compositions was supreme and influential for generations to come.

The peak of his achievement are the 105 masses, of which the celebrated 'Missa Papae Marcelli' is an outstanding example.