La Papesse Jeanne (2017)
Directed by Jean Breschand

Film Synopsis

For centuries, the legend of Pope Joan has fascinated scholars and laypeople alike.  Fact or faction, it is a truly remarkable story, which is reputed to take place in the 9th century and concerns a young woman from the humblest of backgrounds.  After the death of her father, the mythical Joan was confined to a monastery where she toiled as a copyist and fell in love with the monk Fromentin.  After her lover's unfortunate demise, Joan travelled to Rome, where she assumed the post of Reader of the Holy Scriptures.  Such was the high regard in which she was held that, not long afterwards, she was nominated as a cardinal and then appointed Pope Leo IV's successor.  Two years later, Joan surprised everyone by giving birth in the course of a formal procession from St Peter's to the Lateran...