A Serious Question for Catholic Historians?

Question

I had an art teacher years ago, in high school who claimed a woman was acutally Pope briefly, and the clergy fired her after they found out she was in fact a woman. Is this true? Did this happen or was she talking out of her butt again?
This is a serious question, and I'm not trying to offend anyone. I want to know. I'm not Catholic, and I can't find this information anywhere.

Answer 1

The ridiculous old "Pope Joan" story arises again. Pure hogwash. The lineage of Popes is extremely well documented, and sorry folks, but there is simply no room for a Pope Joan. Besides, the event is supposed to have occurred somewhere around the 14th Century (at least in the most common version of the story - there are several). But the first written reference to such a story dates from the 16th Century. Don't you suppose that if such an event had actually occurred, the enemies of the Church would have pounced on it like a vulture on dead meat, published it all over the place, and played it up to the fullest? Yet, not a word for over 200 years?? Really now :-)

There are some really neat variations though - like the one where the true sex of the Pope was discovered when she got pregnant, and the enraged townspeople dragged her to her death behind a wagon. LOL Yet, not a word about it for the next 2 centuries. This one has actually been debunked not only by Catholic historians, but also by Protestant historians, some of whom who were really hoping it was true, but could not find a shred of evidence to support the silly story.
.

Answer 2

There is a legend of Pope Joan that has little or no documentation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Joan

With love in Christ.

Answer 3

I have heard that story also, and believe that its a historical church myth. There are many such stories in the church, with no actual names or facts.

Answer 4

this one has many different speculations
yes i read there was ... but was told that this was a myth
her name was pope joan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Joan
so i guess you need to do some serious research on this to find the truth ... if you ever find the truth

Answer 5

This is the legend of Pope Joan. As to its truth or falsehood...nobody much knows. Probably false, but there are odd things about the whole story.

Some references: http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/popeJoan.html

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08407a.htm

An excellent novel on the subject: http://www.popejoan.com/

Answer 6

One of these should help clarify:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Joan

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~pardos/PopeJoanHome.html