How much truth is there to the legend of the female pope?

by ToastyMustache

I've read several articles (though admittedly not any full historical papers) on Pope Joan, with some saying she existed but never gave birth during mass, while others say she never existed at all and was used to insult the papacy. Is there any truth to the stories though? Was there perhaps a female bishop or cardinal that passed themselves off as men?

Georgy_K_Zhukov

More to be said on this, of course, but do check out /u/whoosier's answer to a similar question last month.