Thanks to Pope Benedict, some of Rome's poor will enjoy a gourmet meal flavoured with shavings of a precious white truffle weighing more than one kilogram, 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 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.