What if I told you that a woman once disguised herself as a man and became the Pope? Join us this week on Ebbs of History as we unravel the incredible legend of Pope Joan—a tale of ambition, deception, and a shocking revelation that could change everything you thought you knew about the history of the Catholic Church. Don't miss it!

Sources

Wikipedia: "Pope Joan" — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Joan

Smithsonian Magazine: "Why the Legend of Medieval Pope Joan Persists" — https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/medieval-coins-suggest-legendary-female-pope-may-have-existed-after-all-180970297/

History Extra / HistoryExtra: "The Outrageous Heretical Legend of Pope Joan" — https://www.historyextra.com/period/medieval/pope-joan/

Cambridge History of the Papacy, Chapter 7: "The Myth of Pope Joan" — https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-history-of-the-papacy/myth-of-pope-joan/8CF23E2BCFE14452CC06BAFD0A787F3F

Franciscan Media / St. Anthony Messenger: "The Legend of Pope Joan" by Christopher M. Bellitto, PhD — https://www.franciscanmedia.org/st-anthony-messenger/the-legend-of-pope-joan/ • Catholic Answers Magazine: "Pope Joan: The Myth That Just Won't Go Away" — https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/the-popess-who-just-wont-go-away

Catholic Exchange: "A Primer on the Persistent Myth of Pope Joan" — https://catholicexchange.com/a-primer-on-the-persistent-myth-of-pope-joan/

Sky History: "Pope Joan: Did the Vatican Have a Medieval Female Pontiff?" — https://www.history.co.uk/articles/pope-joan-did-the-vatican-have-a-medieval-female-pontiff

On This Day (April 16 historical events) — https://www.onthisday.com/events/april/16 • Britannica: "On This Day — April 16" — https://www.britannica.com/on-this-day/April-16

Lost at Sea Shanty by legacyAlli Link: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/legacyalli/sound-phrases/rf-lost-at-sea-shanty/

License: Attribution 4.0 International License