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In Reply to: Re: a female pope posted by Chris Holbrook on January 05, 1999 at 16:17:09:

The below story is highly dubious the only pope I know of that was elected from outside the cardinals was Pope Celestine who was a hermit that wrote the cardinals a letter telling them to end the deadlock so they just chose him and then regretted it. Pope Joan is far better explained as a middle age hoax/sex scandel made upto make the dark ages look interesting.

R. B.

Celestine V, Saint
1215-96, pope (July 5-Dec. 13, 1294), an Italian named Pietro del
Murrone. Elected to end the two-year deadlock in finding a successor
to Nicholas IV, Celestine was a hermit who had attracted a following
of extremists (called Celestines). His papacy was chaotic and was
dominated by Charles II of Naples; it lasted but five months before he
resigned. His successor, BONIFACE VIII, confined Celestine for life to
avert schism. Feast: May 19.

From: commentary

'Pope John VIII: John, of English extraction, was born at Mentz and is said to have arrived at Popedom
by evil art; for disguising herself like a man, whereas she was a woman, she went when young with her
paramour, a learned man, to Athens, and made such progress in learning under the professors there
that, coming to Rome, she met with few that could equal, much less go beyond her, even in the
knowledge of the scriptures; and by her learned and ingenious readings and disputations, she acquired
so great respect and authority that upon the death of Leo (as Martin says) by common consent she was
chosen Pope in his room. As she was going to the Lateran Church between the Colossean Theatre (so
called from Nero's Colossus) and St. Clement's her travail came upon her, and she died upon the place,
having sat two years, one month, and four days, and was buried there without any pomp. This story is
vulgarly told, but by very uncertain and obscure authors, and therefore I have related it barely and in
short, lest I should seem obstinate and pertinacious if I had admitted what is so generally talked; I had
better mistake with the rest of the world; though it be certain, that what I have related may be thought
not altogether incredible.'"

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: The below story is highly dubious the only pope I know of that was elected from outside the cardinals was Pope Celestine who was a hermit that wrote the cardinals a letter telling them to end the deadlock so they just chose him and then regretted it. Pope Joan is far better explained as a middle age hoax/sex scandel made upto make the dark ages look interesting. : R. B. : Celestine V, Saint : 1215-96, pope (July 5-Dec. 13, 1294), an Italian named Pietro del : Murrone. Elected to end the two-year deadlock in finding a successor : to Nicholas IV, Celestine was a hermit who had attracted a following : of extremists (called Celestines). His papacy was chaotic and was : dominated by Charles II of Naples; it lasted but five months before he : resigned. His successor, BONIFACE VIII, confined Celestine for life to : avert schism. Feast: May 19. : From: <a href="http://www.heimbaugh.com/religion/pope_joan_pro.html">commentary</a> : 'Pope John VIII: John, of English extraction, was born at Mentz and is said to have arrived at Popedom : by evil art; for disguising herself like a man, whereas she was a woman, she went when young with her : paramour, a learned man, to Athens, and made such progress in learning under the professors there : that, coming to Rome, she met with few that could equal, much less go beyond her, even in the : knowledge of the scriptures; and by her learned and ingenious readings and disputations, she acquired : so great respect and authority that upon the death of Leo (as Martin says) by common consent she was : chosen Pope in his room. As she was going to the Lateran Church between the Colossean Theatre (so : called from Nero's Colossus) and St. Clement's her travail came upon her, and she died upon the place, : having sat two years, one month, and four days, and was buried there without any pomp. This story is : vulgarly told, but by very uncertain and obscure authors, and therefore I have related it barely and in : short, lest I should seem obstinate and pertinacious if I had admitted what is so generally talked; I had : better mistake with the rest of the world; though it be certain, that what I have related may be thought : not altogether incredible.'"

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