Pope John XVII

John XVII. († November 6, 1003; actually Giovanni Sicco ) was in 1003 (probably on May 16, November 6th), for a short time Pope.

Biography

Early life

John Sicco was born in the Roman district Biberetica. His birthplace must have been in the vicinity of the Column of Trajan. About its origin no one knows much, only that his father was also named John and that the family probably descended from the Crescentiern.

Pontificate

John was raised on May 16, 1003 to the Pope after the death of Sylvester II John II Crescentius and was dependent on him. So it was that he was prevented from Crescentius to contact Henry II in contact in order to build good relations with the emperor.

Little is known of his pontificate. His most significant official act was the appointment of Benedict as a missionary and his posting to Poland, because with Benedict began the Christianization of the Slavs.

How old was John when he died on November 6, 1003 is not known. He is one of the less important popes in history. Nevertheless, a Grabschift of 1040 received has remained on three of his relatives are mentioned, who held high positions all also in the church. There was a bishop, a deacon and a dignitary of the Lateran firm.

Comments

Basically started with him the false count of the popes named John. But antipope John XVI. had been used by the father of John II Crescentius Crescentius I. Nomentanus, this pope was natural to him as lawful.