He was born at Pavia, and before his elevation to the papal chair was imperial chancellor of Emperor Otto II (973–983), and was the latter's second choice.
His original name was Pietro Canepanova, but he took the name John XIV to avoid being linked to St. Peter himself.
Otto II died shortly after his election; his heir, Otto III (983–1002), being only 3 years old. Antipope Boniface VII (974, 984–985), on the strength of the popular feeling against the new Pope, returned from Constantinople and placed John XIV in prison, in Castel Sant'Angelo, where he died either by starvation or poison.
