In the dark days of the 1930s when Benito Mussolini and his Fascist government established colonies near the horn of Africa they cast greedy eyes further south to the mineral-rich land of Zambia. When it seemed inevitable that their troops would annex the country, the Zambians appealed to the Pope to intercede on their behalf.
His Holiness -- still feeling pretty pleased with himself over the Concordat that handed the government to Mussolini in exchange for statehood and a big slice of the Italian treasury -- asked the Zambian leaders what they would pay for his help.
They gave him the recipe to the country's national pasta, Zamboni, a delicacy whose ingredients are, to this day, known only to the chefs who serve the College of Cardinals.
Remember, you heard it here first.
