A Bolivian government official has claimed that Pope Francis has said he would like to chew coca leaves when he visits the country next month. According to Reuters, Culture Minister Marko Machicao, speaking on state television and radio on Sunday, said that the Pontiff asked to be provided with coca leaves upon his arrival in Bolivia in July in order to help combat altitude sickness. “We offered (the Pope) coca tea or something for the altitude,” said Machicao. “He has specifically requested that he wants to chew coca, so we will be awaiting the Holy Father with the sacred coca leaf.” Situated at around 11,975 feet above sea level, Bolivia's capital La Paz is one of the world’s highest capital cities and chewing coca leaves is a traditional method of alleviating the effects of extreme altitude. Coca leaves are the key ingredient in cocaine, but the the unprocessed leaf is legal to use. When asked at a press conference whether the Pope would chew coca leaves, Vatican spokesman Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi said he was not aware of the Pope's plans for dealing with the altitude and that the Pontiff "will do what he thinks is most opportune," according to Reuters. "There are popular customs that people use. Some drink coca tea and others chew coca leaves. Let's see what he decides to do. You can do it too (chew coca leaves), if you want to," he said. Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay from July 6 to 12.