Rebecca Rist

Rebecca Rist, a Professor of Medieval History at the University of Reading and a papal history expert, dives into the fascinating world of papal elections. She discusses the dramatic shifts in the voting process over centuries, including the intricate path to securing a two-thirds majority. Rist probes the intriguing possibility of a female pope in history and evaluates controversial figures like Alexander VI. The conversation also touches on the complexities of papal legitimacy, schisms, and the evolving role of women in the Church.