Is it possible that in the history of the Vatican there was once a female Pope? John Anglicus - John the English - reigned from AD855 for two years, seven months and four days before the astonishing revelation that he was, in fact, a she called Joan. This was revealed when she supposedly gave birth during a papal procession. The Catholic Church denies this ever happened but there is a new movie coming out about it nonetheless. Pope Joan is scheduled for release soon and billed as a true story!