Imagine Mussolini asking for protection from Hitler.
You didn't know that Mussolini did ask for protection from Hitler? He was arrested and imprisoned by the Italian government, and was rescued by the Germans. He was taken to Germany and Hitler realized he had been reduced to a depressed slob. For at least another 1.5 years Mussolini was only the leader of Italy as a German puppet, he had no power, except what the Germans enforced.
Hitler also ask the Italians from protection from the Pope, but they refused to kidnap him.
Not exactly the same.