Pope Leo XIII (d.1903) was known to have kept always at the ready a handy hip flask of Mariani wine, a tonic fortified with cocaine. He enthusiastically endorsed the beverage and allowed his picture to be used on sales posters. The text of the endorsement reads:
His Holiness the Pope writes that he has fully appreciated the beneficent effects of this Tonic Wine and has forwarded to Mr. Mariani as a token of his gratitude a gold medal bearing his august likeness.Pope Pius X was also rather fond of the stuff. Not incidentally, another admirer of Mr. Mariani's product was Dr. John Stith Pemberton, the inventor of Coca-cola.
Proof that, as I've long believed, Coca does bring you closer to God... or at least make you less inhibited on the dance floor.
Posted by: Jake Holmes | November 06, 2009 at 09:47 AM
A distinction without a difference.
Posted by: gail | November 06, 2009 at 11:08 AM