Pope John XVII

Born John Sicco, he became bishop of Rome in 1003 under circumstances that had little to do with divine calling and everything to do with the will of patrician John Crescentius, the power behind the throne. For about seven months he occupied the papal seat, a figurehead in name while Crescentius held the real authority over the Papal States. He died on 6 November 1003, one more pontiff installed and overshadowed by the forces that ran medieval Rome from the shadows.