World | Pope Benedict XVI Pope Bounces Back, Visits Soup Kitchen Security heavy for first trip since Christmas Eve attack By Marie Morris Posted Dec 27, 2009 4:48 PM CST Copied In this photo released by the Vatican's L'Osservatore Romano newspaper, Pope Benedict XVI, in white in foreground, arrives at a lunch in a soup kitchen in Rome, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, HO) On his first trip outside the Vatican since being knocked to the ground in a Christmas Eve incident at St. Peter's, Pope Benedict XVI visited a soup kitchen in Rome today. The pontiff, 82, was unharmed when a woman vaulted a barrier and accosted him before Mass. Today he mingled with an appreciative crowd and distributed Christmas gifts to children at the institution, which serves the homeless, reports the Telegraph. Read These Next Mark Zuckerberg's 'list' has Silicon Valley buzzing. Firefighters 'didn't have a chance' in Idaho ambush. Obituary reveals teacher's same-sex marriage, and he's fired. Tillis, who opposes Trump bill, won't seek reelection. Report an error