Pope John XVII was the head of the Roman Catholic Church for a brief period in 1003. He was elected pope after the death of Pope John XVI and served for only about a month before his death. His papacy is noted for its short duration and limited historical impact. Little is known about his life before becoming pope, and there are few records detailing his actions during his papacy. He is often overshadowed by other popes of the time, such as Pope John XVI and Pope Benedict VIII, who had more significant roles in church history.