Frying Pan Cured in Köln During Pope's Visit

A miraculous cure of a cast-iron frying pan occurred in Köln, Germany today during the first day of a week-long visit by Pope Benedict XVI, according to World Youth Day attendees. "Whereas the pan was somewhat bare, initially," said Gottfried Huffman, 23, "it was turned a deep, shiny black -- the surface now perfect for cooking. I believe it is also a bit lighter." The pan, which he displayed to the press, exhibited a smoothness and deep gloss only found on the most high-end cooking equipment, costing thousands of Euros.

Gottfried and his friends, Anita Shreiburg and Yosef Heller, said the cure was discovered several hours after they witnessed the Pope's riverboat passing by on the Rhine River. When retrieving the pan from a backpack to prepare a meal in their youth hostel, they noticed that the pan's faults had been completely removed.

Huffman believes the miracle was intended to encourage youth to pray more often. "We had wished, inside, you know, for better cooking equipment," added Huffman, "But not praying. This pan says to me, you should pray for things and maybe God will give it."

The first meal the pan was used to prepare was instant cornbread, which was reportedly "just right."

Vatican representatives were unavailable for comment.