Pope Francis has told the Bolivian government that he would like to chew
coca leaves when he visits the Andean country next month, a Bolivian
minister said on state television and radio on Sunday. Situated
at around 3,650 meters (11,975 ft) above sea level, La Paz is one of
the world's highest capital cities and for centuries local people have
chewed coca leaves to ward off the effects of altitude.
Although it
is the key ingredient in cocaine, the unprocessed leaf is legal to use
and still widely chewed in Bolivia and other Andean countries. Many
indigenous people, including Bolivian President Evo Morales, defend its
use and consider it a sacred plant.
"We offered (the Pope) coca tea
or something for the altitude," Culture Minister Marko Machicao said an
interview with broadcasters.
"He has specifically requested that he
wants to chew coca, so we will be awaiting the Holy Father with the
sacred coca leaf," he said.The Vatican was not immediately available to comment on Sunday.
In his second official visit to Latin America since his 2013 election, the Argentine pope will be in Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay between July 6 and 12.
He has made speaking out in defence of the poor and downtrodden a major plank of his papacy.
(Reporting by Daniel Ramos, Writing by Rosalba O'Brien; Editing by Diane Craft)
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