Pope Joan facts for kids
Pope Joan, also known as Johanna or Joanna, is a famous legend about a female Pope. The story says she ruled for a few years, possibly in the 1100s. This tale first appeared in books written in the 13th century. Over time, preachers and storytellers helped spread her story across Europe. For many centuries, people widely believed she was a real person. Today, most experts who study religion think she is a made-up character from a legend. However, whether she was real or not is still something people discuss.
The stories tell us that Joan was from Germany. She supposedly came to Rome dressed as a man and convinced everyone that she was male. Her male name was said to be John Anglicus. She started her career in the clergy (church leaders) as a notary, which is like a secretary. Then, she became a cardinal, a high-ranking church official. After that, she was elected Pope. She was Pope for about two and a half years. However, her real gender was discovered because she became pregnant. The story says her child was born either on a road near the Colosseum or inside a church. What happened to her after that, including her death or any punishment, is not known.
Contents
The Legend of Pope Joan
How the Story Began
The first written accounts of Pope Joan appeared in the 13th century. These stories were often found in chronicles, which were like historical records of events. One of the earliest mentions was in the work of Jean de Mailly, a Dominican friar. He wrote about her in his book called Chronica universalis.
Spreading the Tale
After the 13th century, the story of Pope Joan became very popular. Many writers and historians included her in their works. One important writer was Martin of Opava, who also wrote a chronicle. His version of the story was widely read and helped make the legend even more famous. People believed the story for hundreds of years.
What the Stories Say
The legend describes Joan as a very smart and educated woman. She loved learning and wanted to study, which was hard for women in her time. So, she disguised herself as a man to get an education. She traveled to different places, including Athens and Rome. In Rome, she continued her disguise and rose through the ranks of the church.
Her Time as Pope
As Pope, she was known as John VIII or John Anglicus. She was said to be a good leader and made important decisions for the church. However, the secret of her true identity was revealed when she became pregnant. This event led to the discovery of her gender.
The End of the Story
The legend has different versions of how her story ended. Some say she died during childbirth. Others say she was punished or removed from her position. The exact details of her death or what happened to her are not clear in the various versions of the legend.
Is Pope Joan Real?
Historical Evidence
Today, most historians and religious scholars agree that Pope Joan was not a real person. There is no strong historical evidence from the time she supposedly lived to prove her existence. The official records of the Catholic Church do not mention a female Pope.
Why the Story Existed
Many experts believe the legend of Pope Joan was created for different reasons. Some think it was a story to criticize the church or certain Popes. Others believe it might have been a way to explain a gap in the list of Popes or to make a point about women's roles. The story became a powerful legend because it was interesting and spread widely.
The Impact of the Legend
Even though she is likely a legend, Pope Joan has had a lasting impact. She appears in many books, plays, and movies. Her story reminds us of how legends can become very powerful and influence people's beliefs for a long time.
Images for kids
-
An old drawing of "Pope John VII" from a book called the Nuremberg Chronicle, published in 1493.
-
A drawing of a "popess" (female pope) from the early 16th century. It's part of a set of Tarot cards.
-
A woodcut drawing of Pope Joan giving birth. From a German book printed around 1474.
-
An engraving of Pope Joan giving birth, from a book published in 1675.
See also
In Spanish: Papisa Juana para niños
