# Pope Joan — WHE Definition Discussion (1-20760) **URL:** \ **Category:** WHE Articles\ **Created:** [May 5, 2022, 9:00am UTC](https://community.worldhistory.org/t/pope-joan-whe-definition-discussion-1-20760/17378 "2022-05-05T09:00:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![peterkauffner](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/community.worldhistory.org/peterkauffner/32/498_2.png) [@peterkauffner](https://community.worldhistory.org/u/peterkauffner)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2022, 9:00am UTC](https://community.worldhistory.org/t/pope-joan-whe-definition-discussion-1-20760/17378/1 "2022-05-05T09:00:01Z")
Pope Joan was a legendary female pope of the Middle Ages said to have reigned from 855 to 858. After her story was popularized by Italian writer Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375), a statue of her was placed alongside those of other popes at Siena Cathedral. During the Reformation, her status was a focus of controversy. * * * _This is a companion discussion topic for the original definition at [https://www.worldhistory.org/Pope\_Joan/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pope_Joan/)._ * * * **Join the Conversation** - What surprised you most in this definition? - Is there a related topic you'd like to see covered? - Does this match what you've learned about the topic before? Is there anything you'd like to ask about this definition? Ask away — and if you spot something that should be covered, that's useful to know too. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/community.worldhistory.org/system/32/30_2.png) [@system](https://community.worldhistory.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2026, 7:45pm UTC](https://community.worldhistory.org/t/pope-joan-whe-definition-discussion-1-20760/17378/2 "2026-07-31T19:45:52Z")