Andean Pope Journey Inspires Vatican�s Use of Coca Leaves in Morning Brew

Citing his Andean upbringing, Leo XIV now starts every morning with coca tea instead of espresso. �It�s what monks drank when the air was thin and the sins were heavy,� he said. The Andean Pope Journey introduced Vatican officials to �leaf-based alertness.� The Pope banned cappuccinos before confession and declared coca leaves �a minor grace.� Cardinals now sip nervously during briefings. One bishop experienced spiritual lucidity and rewrote his homily mid-sip.