Question Authority (And Other Conspiracies)

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Pope Joan

Though the Catholic Church forbids women to enter the priesthood, rumor claims that a woman, Pope Joan, once reigned as the Bishop of Rome. The dates and names of the supposed female Pope vary, but the most popular version has it that Joan dressed as a man and due to her talents and learning rose through the Church hierarchy to eventually become Pope sometime about 1100. Pope Joan was discovered when she gave birth during a church procession. Again, versions differ as to her death, she dies during childbirth or is murdered by an angry mob. To expunge the scandal, the Roman Catholic Church has eradicated all record of Pope Joan's rule.

Debunked: There was once a female Pope in the Roman Catholic Church.

Unfortunately, contemporary chronicles make no mention of Joan or her scandalous unmasking. Tales of a female Pope began circulating hundreds of years later after the claimed rule of Joan. Furthermore, the succession of Popes for this period of time is well documented. There are no gaps in which Pope Joan could have reigned.

References:

• The Catholic Encyclopedia: Popess Joan
• The AFU and Urban Legends Archive: Pope Joan
• The AFU and Urban Legends Archive: Pope Joan Con
• The AFU and Urban Legends Archive: Pope Joan Con More