Pope Francis drinks tea made of coca — the main ingredient in cocaine — to beat altitude sickness
Coca may be the main ingredient in cocaine, but it can also help with altitude sickness, and that's exactly why Pope Francis drank a tea made of coca leaves, anise seeds, and camomile before he arrived in La Paz, Bolivia, on Wednesday.
There was a lot of speculation over whether the pontiff would drink the tea, The Guardian reports; a Bolivian minister shared before the visit that Francis told government officials he'd like to chew some leaves during his time in the country, and a Vatican spokesman said he would decide on his own during the trip if he wanted any. The airport near La Paz is the highest international airport in the world, and the pope, as well as journalists aboard his flight from Ecuador, drank the tea before landing.
Spectators said the pope walked off the plane without difficulty, apparently unaffected by the altitude. Because he had part of one lung removed due to disease as a younger man, he was only planning on staying in the area for a few hours before moving on to Santa Cruz, the largest city in Bolivia at a much lower altitude.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Today's political cartoons - May 12, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - tips for Mom, worm regards, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 brain-busting cartoons about RFK Jr.
Cartoons Artists take on candidate suitability, the Kennedy family, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Right to roam: the battle to access England's green spaces
The Explainer A battle is being fought over access to England's green spaces
By The Week UK Published
-
The Vatican's stand on gender-affirming care
Speed Read A new published document condemns gender transition, calling it a threat to human dignity
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The United Methodist Church has lost 20% of U.S. congregations in schism over LGBTQ rules
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Pope Francis investigates Texas bishop, accepts early resignation of embattled Tennessee prelate
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Southern Baptists expel Saddleback, 2nd church over female pastors, approve further clampdown
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Thousands flock to Missouri to see body of nun who died in 2019
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Report finds nearly 2,000 kids abused by Catholic clergy in Illinois over decades
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Pope Francis is involved in 'mission' to bring peace to Ukraine
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Jewish-Muslim tensions boil over in Jerusalem
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published