Has there ever been a female pope?

looney_tunes

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, this is pure myth, although widely believed at times in history. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08407a.htm British journalist Peter Stanford investigated this legend and published his findings in 1998 in the book "The Legend of Pope Joan". He concludes that there is reason to suppose that there was an actual figure on which the stories are founded. (From the excerpt here, the evidence seems to be mostly that people wouldn't have believed in it if it weren't true - a rather debatable stance!) http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/Catholic/2001/05/Did-A-Female-Pope-Exist.aspx And this site argues that the evidence is weak, as first reports appeared several hundred years after her supposed existence. It also explores reasons why the myth may have originated. http://atheism.about.com/od/popesandthepapacy/a/popejoan.htm Jan 16 10, 2:54 PM

star_gazer

A lot of the rumors about the "bad popes" are true, but let's not get ridiculous. The female pope story is generally regarded as a fabrication. "Pope Joan," who supposedly served from 855 to 858, was said to be an Englishwoman who disguised herself as a monk to be with her cleric boyfriend. She went to Rome, where she so impressed others with her learning that she was elected pope. Her secret was discovered when she gave birth during a procession, whereupon she was slain. The story is false, although it was possibly inspired by actual events, about which more in a moment. http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/432/was-there-once-a-female-pope Jan 16 10, 2:56 PM