Lentorama 2025: Perfunctory Popes: 

Day 15: John XVII

Rome around the turn of the millennium was caught in a conflict between the Holy Roman Emperor, Otto III, and a group of local nobles. Otto struggled to retake the city for the empire, holding it on and off while the Crescentius family would rule in other times as consul.

The popes at this point didn't have much power, and owed their throne either to Otto or whatever Crescentius was in power. So it was in 1003 when John Sicco, a Roman, was named by John Crescentius to succeed Sylvester II, who had been made pope at Otto's behest.

About the only thing we know about John XVII is that he authorized a mission to eastern Europe that also sought to evangelize among the locals. John served as pope for about 10 months before dying in November 1003.