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The legend was generally accepted as true until the 16th century, when a widespread debate among Catholic and Protestant writers called the story into question: various writers noted the implausibly long gap between Joan's supposed lifetime and her first appearance in texts.
Jun 10, 2015 · As the story goes, this “Pope Joan” was a young woman who disguised herself as a man and entered into religious training. After distinguishing herself as a scholar, she rose through the church...
Pope Joan, legendary female pontiff who supposedly reigned for more than 25 months, from 855 to 858, under the title of John VIII. It has subsequently been proved that a gap of only a few weeks fell between Pope Leo IV and Pope Benedict III and that the story is entirely apocryphal.
Sep 19, 2018 · A dramatic ending to the tale ensured its endurance: As the woman, masquerading as Pope Johannes Anglicus, led a religious procession through Rome during the mid-ninth century, she allegedly...
As recently as 2018, an archaeologist studying papal monograms on medieval coins said they found evidence in these of a real Pope Joan reigning around 856 AD. There's lots of conflicting evidence but legend states Pope Joan sat during the 9th century.
May 5, 2022 · Pope Joan was a legendary female pope of the Middle Ages said to have reigned from 855 to 858. After her story was popularized by Italian writer Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375), a statue of her was placed alongside those of other popes at Siena Cathedral.
The story of Pope Joan reached its peak during the late Middle Ages and was considered authentic at one point. Later evidence cast doubt before the legend was deemed apocryphal. But even still, the tale of the female pope persists today.
Oct 31, 2017 · Despite being denied by the Church and some historians, many people still believe there may have been a Pope Joan. Allegedly, Pope Sixtus IV claimed that Pope Joan was chosen by “common consent” during the Conclave as she was the most qualified.
Dec 17, 2021 · Vatican City — December 17, 2021. Intelligent, in love, highly cultured and heavily pregnant, the infamous "Pope Joan" is one of those urban legends of the "urbi" of Rome about a woman...
Pope Clement VIII officially declared the legend of Pope Joan untrue in 1601. Some say the well-known bust of her was then destroyed. Others believed it was recarved and replaced by a male pope known as Pope Zachary.
