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Pope Francis drinks coca leaf tea on South American tour Pope Francis drinks coca leaf tea on South American tour
(about 5 hours later)
Pope Francis drank a tea of coca leaves, camomile and anise seeds on the plane to Bolivia from Ecuador to ward off altitude sickness upon arrival at the highest international airport in the world.Pope Francis drank a tea of coca leaves, camomile and anise seeds on the plane to Bolivia from Ecuador to ward off altitude sickness upon arrival at the highest international airport in the world.
Coca is the main ingredient in cocaine but people in the Andean region have chewed coca leaves or drunk coca tea for centuries for its medicinal properties.Coca is the main ingredient in cocaine but people in the Andean region have chewed coca leaves or drunk coca tea for centuries for its medicinal properties.
The flight attendant said the pope drank a mix called Trimate containing the three ingredients. It was also offered to journalists on the flight.The flight attendant said the pope drank a mix called Trimate containing the three ingredients. It was also offered to journalists on the flight.
The pope did not appear to have any difficulties when he walked off the plane and while he was reading his welcoming address. He is visiting three of the poorest countries in Latin America on a trip that will also include Paraguay.The pope did not appear to have any difficulties when he walked off the plane and while he was reading his welcoming address. He is visiting three of the poorest countries in Latin America on a trip that will also include Paraguay.
A Bolivian minister said 10 days ago that Francis had told government officials that he would like to chew coca leaves when he visits. A Vatican spokesman said, however, that the Argentine-born pontiff would decide for himself.A Bolivian minister said 10 days ago that Francis had told government officials that he would like to chew coca leaves when he visits. A Vatican spokesman said, however, that the Argentine-born pontiff would decide for himself.
Related: It's not cocaine: what you need to know about the pope's coca drink
At just over 4,000 metres above sea level, La Paz airport is located in the appropriately named El Alto (“the high one”), a satellite city perched on the plateau above La Paz.At just over 4,000 metres above sea level, La Paz airport is located in the appropriately named El Alto (“the high one”), a satellite city perched on the plateau above La Paz.
Indigenous people, including Bolivia’s first indigenous president, Evo Morales, defend the use of coca and consider it a sacred plant.Indigenous people, including Bolivia’s first indigenous president, Evo Morales, defend the use of coca and consider it a sacred plant.
For health reasons, the 78-year-old Francis, who lost part of one lung to disease when he was a young man, will be in La Paz – 3,650 meters above sea level – for only about four hours before moving on to Santa Cruz, Bolivia’s largest city, which is at much lower altitude.For health reasons, the 78-year-old Francis, who lost part of one lung to disease when he was a young man, will be in La Paz – 3,650 meters above sea level – for only about four hours before moving on to Santa Cruz, Bolivia’s largest city, which is at much lower altitude.