Forgotten your password?
already a member?
Made For Mums
  •  
  • home
  • my neighbourhood
  • reviews
  • news + gossip
  • age + stage
  • feeding
  • win + offers
  • forum
  • sign up
what's on | groups & classes | local chat | places to go | childcare & schools | eating out | health | help | add listing
pushchairs & travel systems | car seats | feeding | cots & nursery | carriers & slings | all products
celebrities | hot stuff | pregnancy | baby | toddler + | mums & dads | it's amazing | fashion | MFM blog
getting pregnant | pregnancy & birth | your baby | your toddler+ | your schoolchild | your family
starting to wean | 7-9 mths | 9-12 mths | 12 mths+ | recipes | what to buy | fussy eaters | nutrition | food safety | special diets
competitions & giveaways
birth clubs | baby clubs | chat | your say! | 15 mins of fame | pregnancy | baby | parenting | potty training
It's Amazing
You are looking at: Home : News & Gossip : It's Amazing

Pregnant Pope myth – now a movie

The story of pregnant Pope Joan is being uncovered in the film 'La Papessa' – some say it's a true tale, but others are adamant it's just a myth.

Tweet
Posted: 22 June 2010
by Kyrsty Hazell
Controversial film 'La Papessa' tells the tale of the pregnant Pope
Controversial film 'La Papessa' tells the tale of the pregnant Pope

For a long time the story of the female Pope who disguised herself as a man and became pregnant has been brushed aside as a myth, but now the tale is about resurface as a movie, La Papessa.

Featuring actors John Goodman and German actress Johanna Wokalek, the film tells the story of a woman named Joan who convinced the Vatican that she was a man named John Anglicus and ruled as a Pope for over two years. However, her cover was blown when she became pregnant and gave birth in the street – during a procession dressed in her full papal regalia.

The identity of the supposed female Pope was unveiled, despite one of her entourage claiming that the untimely birth was an act of God that gave men the power to have babies.

This feature-length film about Pope Joan claims that it’s a ‘true story’. However, the Vatican in Rome has denied the ongoing claims that the story is a real.


Previous story
Unborn babies 'practice' communicating with mum
Next story
89 year old dad welcomes baby boy

Vatican, Catholic Church, religion, movie, Pope, pregnancy, La Papessa, John Goodman
TwitterStumbleUponFacebookDiggRedditGoogle

Related Content

Pregnancy – the latest advertising trend?

Christening your baby

Kelly Preston talks about her silent birth

Pope pleas for sensible “Christian” names

Celeb mum-of-two Charlotte Church misses her pregnancy bust

Related Products

Elle Macpherson Intimates La Mere Nursing Bra

John Lewis Swim nappy

John Lewis Baby Home Safety pack

John Lewis Baby Patchwork Bear

John Lewis waffle Moses basket

So what do you think?

Colette Carpenter
"This feature-length film about Pope Joan claims that it’s a ‘true story’."

I seem to remember Dan Brown saying his "The Da Vinci Code" story was true too. I suppose some people say anything to make a buck.

Wikipedia has a detailed account of the myth. It's worth a read:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Joan
About 3 years ago
Hedgehog
good link. It includes this (and now I know there is an Oxford Dictionary of Popes!)

The Oxford Dictionary of Popes acknowledges that this legend was widely believed for centuries, even among Catholic circles, but declares that there is "no contemporary evidence for a female Pope at any of the dates suggested for her reign," and goes on to say that "the known facts of the respective periods make it impossible to fit [a female Pope] in".
About 3 years ago
What's going on in your neighbourhood

most popular

  • Read
  • Latest
  1. 1
    Pregnant Katie Price angered after being "refused" sunbed session by salon
  2. 2
    Chickens 'cleverer than toddlers' according to new study!
  3. 3
    Kim Kardashian has her baby early!
  4. 4
    Buyer's guides for pregnancy and baby gear - your step-by-step shopping advice
  5. 5
    Channing Tatum steals the show with baby pic
  6. 6
    The 10 best car seats - from 9 months
  7. 7
    10 of the best lightweight buggies under 6kg
  8. 8
    Pregnant Caprice reveals she is expecting second child by surrogate mother
  9. 9
    10 of the most compact folding buggies
  10. 10
    Courtney Cox celebrates with lovely daughter
  1. 1
    New app enables family to help with homework remotely
  2. 2
    It's National Picnic Week!
  3. 3
    Chickens 'cleverer than toddlers' according to new study!
  4. 4
    Kim Kardashian daughter’s name is leaked
  5. 5
    New ‘safer’ IVF technique: First baby born using method
  6. 6
    Kanye West is ‘in love’ with his first child
  7. 7
    10 of the best lightweight buggies under 6kg
  8. 8
    Robbie Williams says fatherhood makes him happy
  9. 9
    Pregnant Katie Price angered after being "refused" sunbed session by salon
  10. 10
    Shakira celebrates her first Father’s Day with her family

question of the month poll

Did your baby suffer from constipation during the first six months of weaning?
10 of the best

news and gossip categories

  • Baby
  • Celebs
  • Fashion
  • Hot stuff
  • It's Amazing
  • MFM blog
  • Mums & Dads
  • Pregnancy
  • Toddler+

what's on in my neighbourhood
Looking for something to do this week - or even today? Take your pick...
Family activities and days out
Films and shows for children
Classes for babies and children
Pregnancy classes
Find more in your neighbourhood

discussions in my neighbourhood
What's the buzz in your area? Find out what everyone's talking about...
Buy, sell or find free family stuff
Meet up with other mums
Share what's going on in your community
Join in the chat about local classes
Find more in your neighbourhood

competitions

  • Fill in our feeding survey for a chance to win a unique MFM goody bag
    Closing date: 21/06/2013
  • Win 1 of 6 £50 BigGreenSmile Vouchers
    Closing date: 16/07/2013
  • Win 1 of 3 goodies from Higgidy pies and quiches
    Closing date: 17/07/2013
  • Win 1 of 15 Play Puppies and Puppy Pianos worth £40 each!
    Closing date: 31/07/2013
  • Win 1 of 10 fertility vitamins for men and women worth £60 each!
    Closing date: 31/07/2013
  • Win 1 of 20 Hoppy and Patch Pairs worth £30 each!
    Closing date: 16/07/2013
  • Win 1 of 20 Disney potty training systems worth £29.99 each!
    Closing date: 31/07/2013
Follow MadeForMums on Twitter
Other Parenting sites:
  • Junior
  • Practical Parenting & Pregnancy
  • ThinkBaby
  • MadeForMums
  • BabyExpert
Other Immediate sites:
  • GOLFmagic
  • OUTDOORSmagic
  • Visordown
  • Gardeners' World
  • RadioTimes
Become a fan on Facebook for exclusive content
Follow MadeForMums on Twitter
Subscribe to Practical Parenting & Pregnancy
Immediate Media Co
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookie policy
  • Terms + conditions
  • Advertise with us

© Immediate Media Company Ltd 2012. This website is owned and published by Immediate Media Company Limited. www.immediatemedia.co.uk

Version 2.8.53497.0