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Pope Gives Local Soup Kitchen Rare White Truffle
By Rita Fitch
Source: Catholic News Service
Published: Thursday, November 25, 2010

Pope Benedict XVI waves upon arriving to lead his general audience.

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Thanks to Pope Benedict XVI, some of Rome's poor will enjoy a gourmet meal flavored with shavings of a precious white truffle weighing more than two pounds, reported Caritas Rome, the diocesan Catholic charity.

Pope Benedict received the truffle at his general audience Nov. 17 and re-gifted it to the John Paul II soup kitchen in Rome. Chefs at the soup kitchen have prepared special, sophisticated menu for their guests, said Caritas in a Nov. 20 statement.

The donation was "a gesture of our bishop's love and attention to the most disadvantaged" and emphasizes "his closeness to that part of the city that is suffering," said Msgr. Enrico Feroci, Caritas director of Caritas.

The chefs of Caritas will use the white truffle— which could sell for between $1,600 and $2,800—in the rice, pasta and meat dishes to be served Nov. 30 at the John Paul II soup kitchen, Caritas reported.

The white truffle is a type of fungi that grows underground near oak, hazel, poplar or beech trees.

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