Pope Joan: The Female Pope the Catholic Church Tried to Erase

According to medieval legends, a brilliant woman disguised herself as a man, rose through the Catholic Church's ranks, and became Pope in the 9th century. For over two years, "Pope John VIII" ruled the Church until the truth was revealed in the most dramatic way possible - she went into labor during a papal procession through the streets of Rome and gave birth in front of shocked crowds.

The story first appeared in the 13th century and spread like wildfire across Europe. Chroniclers claimed she was a talented German woman who fell in love with a monk, disguised herself as a man to follow him, and eventually became so learned that cardinals elected her pope without realizing her true identity. Some versions say she was dragged through the streets and stoned  ...