Papa Pater Patrum Pererit Papissa Papellum Poem by Erhard Hans Josef Lang

Following story is told in medieval chronicles
With reference to the legendary
Popesse Johanna VIII
- It is stated she was but a rival Pope on the throne,
Not accepted by all contemporaries of her days -
Who had originated from Germany,
Studied in the guise of a male in Athens and
Who had mounted the papal throne, likewise by
Pretending to be a male,
As John VIII in 855 and
Who was lynched and subsequently
Banned into a nunnery
After her giving birth in the streets of Rome
While on a papal procession in 858:

A little devil was seen descending at
The spot of the Pope's delivery of the baby,
And heard blurting out in triumph:

'Papa, Pater Patrum, pererit Papissa papellum'.

('The Pope, Father of Fathers, as Popesse,
gave birth to a small pope')

Eversince that event a new Pope-elect,
Before his inauguration, had been asked
To sit on a chair with a hole in its centre -
The so-called Sella stercoria,
From underneath of which chair a priest would come
To verify with his very hand
The male gender of the new Pope-to-be.

Only after the priest's announcing 'Habet'
(He's got it) was the Pope's election
Considered as valid.

* * * *

a contemporary lithography of the birth-giving Popesse of the year 858 may be viewed at http: //www.webimagesearchengine.com/upload/birth-giving-Popesse-Johanna-VIII-of-858.jpg