For his upcoming visit to Bolivia on July 8, Pope Francis has allegedly asked to participate in the traditional chewing of coca leaves, which have for thousands of years been used in the Andes as a mild medicinal stimulant, and, since the late Victorian era, as the raw source for cocaine.

According to Bolivian Culture Minister Marko Machicao, when the government offered the Argentinian Pope coca tea, the pontiff "specifically requested" to be able to chew coca leaves.

As reported by the BBC, the Vatican has not yet commented on whether or not this is true.

Although coca leaves were declared an illegal substance under the 1961 U.N. Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the growing of coca leaves for religious and medicinal purposes is legal and licensed in Bolivia. A large number of indigenous Bolivians consider the coca to be a sacred plant. Peruvian congresswoman Maria Sumire has addressed the insensitivity she feels is being displayed by the U.N. regarding a leaf that has been used as far back as 8,000 years ago by Andes-dwelling people.

"The United Nations lacks respect for the indigenous people ... who have used the coca leaf since forever. ... For indigenous people, coca is a sacred leaf that is part of their cultural identity," said the congresswoman, via Natural News.

In 2009 Bolivia's constitution declared the coca leaf to be "a cultural patrimony." President Evo Morales has been campaigning to decriminalize the consumption of coca leaves for years.

If Pope Francis chews coca leaves in his upcoming visit, this would be the highest profile figure to ever do so and would go a long way in promoting Morales’s efforts at decriminalization.

Back in 2009, film director Oliver Stone famously chewed coca leaves and played soccer with the president.

"We will be awaiting the Holy Father with the sacred coca leaf," said Machicao.