He was contemporary to Al-Ashraf Sayf-ad-Din Barsbay, Al-Aziz Jamal-ad-Din Yusuf, Az-Zahir Sayf-ad-Din Jaqmaq, and Al-Mansur Fakhr-ad-Din Uthman, the Burji sultans of Egypt.
During his Papacy, the Copts encountered many hardships that the kings of Ethiopia threatened the Burji Mamluks to cut the flow of the Nile because of their persecution of the Christians.
John XI was forbidden to communicate with the kings of Ethiopia and Nubia without the permission and knowledge of the sultans.
He occupied the Throne of Saint Mark for 24 years, 11 months, and 23 days.
The Papal Throne remained vacant after his departure for 4 months and 6 days.