Arguments in favor of the allegation are given by Spanheim, Exercit. de Papa Fæmina, ii. 577; in Lenfant, Historie de la Papesse Jeanne.
Arguments against the allegation are given by Allatius or Allatus, Confutatio Fabulæ de Johanna Papissa; and in Lequien, Oriens Christianus, iii. 777.
Arguments on both sides are given in Cunningham’s translation of Geiseler, Lehrbuch, ii. 21, 22; and in La Bayle’s Dictionnaire, iii., art. “Papisse.”
*** Gibbon says, “Two Protestants, Blondel and Bayle, have annihilated the female pope;” but the expression is certainly too strong, and even Mosheim is more than half inclined to believe there really was such a person.
Pope of Philosophy, Aristotle (B.C. 384-322).
Popes (Titles assumed by). “Universal Bishop,” prior to Gregory the Great. Gregory the Great adopted the style of “Servus Servorum” (591).
Martin IV. was addressed as “the lamb of God which takest away the sins of the world,” to which was added, “Grant us thy peace!” (1281).
Leo X. was styled, by the council of Lateran, “Divine Majesty,” “Husband of the Church,” “Prince of the Apostles,” “The Key of all the Universe,” “The Pastor, the Physician, and a God possessed of all power both in heaven and on earth” (1513).
Paul V. styled himself “Monarch of Christendom,” “Supporter of the Papal Omnipotence,” “Vice-God,” “Lord God the Pope” (1605).
Others, after Paul, “Master of the World,” “Pope the Universal Father,” “Judge in the place of God,” “Vicegerent of the Most High.”—Brady, Clavis Calendaria, 247 (1839).