This year, some compelling evidence has come to light in regards to the existence of the alleged female Pope, Joan: https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/female-pope-0010644 https://www.livescience.com/63598-female-pope-joan-medieval-coins.html This would be quite scandalous if true (like Jesus having a wife), though it probably has more credibility than any DaVinci Code story. Could be a forgery, but who knows. Truth really can be stranger than fiction!
I long assumed that Pope Joan was a myth... Although critics of Romanism often brought her up throughout the centuries, the famous irony is that it was the two legendary Protestant scholars in the 17th century who put the myth to bed.. Jean Le Clerc if I'm not mistaken Ah yes, wikipedia: "The legend of Pope Joan was "effectively demolished" by David Blondel, a mid-17th century Protestant historian, who suggested that Pope Joan's tale may have originated in a satire against Pope John XI, who died in his early 20s. Blondel, through detailed analysis of the claims and suggested timings, argued that no such events could have happened." However, now finding the actual coins from this Papa Johannes... wow!