The Female Pope?

I just read a fabulous book Pope Joan by Donna Wolfolk Cross.  This is a historical fiction book about a young woman, Joan,  who was educated in the classics in the Dark Ages. Joan disguises herself as a man and joins the priesthood.  Joan gives herself the name of John Anglicus and travels to Rome and rises to the position of Pope.  Joan reigns as Pope for roughly two years before dying giving birth while traveling to St. Peter's on the Via Sacra.

While the legend of a female Pope is debated and often said to be false in modern religious circles, the story is unique enough to make for an entertaining read and there are enough historical details to keep me interested. I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in the Dark Ages, religious history, or who enjoy books such as Ken Follet's Pillars of the Earth.