Pope Francis will reportedly chew on coca leaves containing a small amount of the drug cocaine when he visits Bolivia next month.
According to a government minister the Pope will visit La Paz, the capital, where locals have often used the coca to ward off the effects of the altitude.
The leaf is the key ingredient in the production of cocaine, but is legal to chew in Bolivia and surrounding countries.
The President, Evo Morales, is reported to consider it a sacred plant.
According to the Mirror, Culture Minister, Marko Machico, said: "We offered the Pope coca tea or something for the altitude."
"He has specifically requested he wants to chew coca, so we will be awaiting the Holy Father with the sacred coca leaf."
The Vatican has not commented on the story.
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Article by Hannah Tooley
Hannah Tooley is a multimedia journalist for Premier.
