Constantin Film
Johanna Wook comoss Papibea Joana was “Dee Papassin” (Snenon Workman, 2009)
Legend has it that a woman disguised as a man would have ascended to the papal throne in the ninth century, ruling the Catholic Church as John VII for a brief period – before being tragically unmasked. And since then, it is said that the first throne in which the new Pope sits is an old retrete.
The figure of Papa Joana intrigues historians, theologians and curious since the Middle Ages.
Allegedly, Joan would have been a woman who, disguised as a man, ascended to the papal throne during the ninth century. However, the truth of its existence remains wrapped in mysteryfeeding one of the most persistent myths in the history of the Catholic Church.
Circulate from the history of Papa Joana. The legend appears for the first time documented in texts from the early 13th century of Dominican friar, historian and writer Bourbon Stephenwhich situates the events in 1099.
But the chronicler Martinho de OpavaAlso from the thirteenth century, the papacy of Joana in three and a half centuries earlier, among the pontificates of Leo IV and Benedict III.
According to legend, Joana would be a eastperhaps from Constantinople, born with the possible name of Giliberta.
Extremely cultured, had a formation in philosophy and theology, and had since a young man demonstrated a extraordinary intelligence. It will have been disguised as a man to be able to study, and traveled to Athens, where he stood out in his studies.
Always dressed as a man, Joan will later have moved to Rome, where he presented himself as a monk, surprising the doctors of the church with his wisdom. Yours Erudiction and Piety led it to be admitted in the highest ecclesiastical circles, Until being elected Pope with the name of John VII.
Martinho de Opava tells a different version of history: Joana would have been born in the city of Mainz, In Germany, daughter of an English couple there resident at the time.
In “Chronicon Pontificum et Imperatum”, the chronicler and for several years papal chaplain writes: “Johannes Anglicus, born in Mainz, was Pope for two years, seven months, and four days, and died in Rome, so the post of Pope was vacant for a month. It is claimed that this John was a woman (…) “.
According to the reports of Opava, already adult, Joana will have met a monkfor whom he fell in love and with whom he had spent three years in Greece.
When the couple moved to Rome, Joana had decided to wear men’s clothing to avoid the scandal that the relationship could cause, and was passed by a monk, named Johannes Angelicus, having joined the São Martinho monastery.
Joana will have managed to be Named Cardinal, adopting the name of John, the English. According to different reports, due to his remarkable intelligence, he was elected Pope unanimously After the death of Leo IV on July 17, 855.
History culminates tragically: During a public procession, Joana would have gone into labor and given to lightrevealing your feminine identity.
Papa Joana gives birth during a procession (illustration of 1539)
Versions differ from their destination – some report that it will have been stoned to death by the crowd; others suggest that it was silently removed and that Your son became bishop.
Two has a well depending
For several centuries, The legend was regarded as truereinforced by numerous to the so -called steering chairor “papal check chair” – for some considered the strongest evidence that there would have been a woman on the papal throne.
This alleged practice, which the Church denies that ever existed, implied that the newly elected Pope would have to sit in a chair with a holeunder which a cardinal was in charge of making sure he was a man.
The historian Fernand Leroy He says that, after the papal exam, the cardinal announced to the crowd: “Two has a well depending on?” – In free translation, something like” have two and are well hanging. “
“Papal Verification Chair,” or heads up Stercora: Pope Innocent X Masculinity Proof of assuming his pontificate.
According to, the steering chair existed effectively, but had a different purpose: the new Pontiff was sitting in the chair, whose original function It would be a retretenum humility gesture It reinforced the idea that although the Pope is invested with great power, it is not God – it remains a human being, subject to the needs of nature.
Despite the persistence of reports over the centuries, which even gave rise to “historical” films such as (Sönke Wortmann, 2009), or (Michael Anderson,, 1972), modern scholars tend to consider Papa Joana as no more than a legend.
A absence of contemporary recordschronological inconsistency with the official list of the popes and the political context of the time – marked by strong disputes between secular and ecclesiastical power – suggest that the story may have been used as satire or criticism of papal authority.
Truth or fiction, Papa Joana remains a fascinating figure who continues to raise questions about gender, authority, and the way history is told – or silenced.
