Joan, Johannes Anglicus natione Moguntinus, was born in Mainz in about 818 AD and was daughter of English missionaries who were involved in the drive to convert the Germanic-Saxon natives of the area.
It is reported that her parents encouraged her to adopt male attire in order to study at the Benedictine Monastery in Fulda, near her home. In the course of Joan's education, a young teacher, her lover, took her to Athens, where she became extremely well versed in the Liberal Arts.
Upon the death of her companion, she travelled to Rome to take an appointment at the Trivium. Joan's extensive knowledge attracted the attention of the most eminent people.
Joan was unanimously elected Pope in 856 by virtue of her learning and also by the wish of her predecessor, Benedict III. She was a very talented Pope:
"beautiful to behold, graceful in form, learned in words, humble in speech, illustrious in deeds, devoted to fasting and to divine worship, generous to the poor, protector of orphans, supporter of widows and defender of the people."
IX - th century Papal manuscript
Parisinus Lat 5140, referenced in
Joan Morris,
Pope John VIII:
An English Woman (1985), p. 14
Joan’s papacy ended abruptly when she had become pregnant. She gave birth to a child during a church procession on the road between the Coliseum and the Church of St Clement. It is said that she was stoned to death by the mob.