Coffee is prominent in Catholic life, from a cup before Mass to parish coffee hours. It has become woven into daily rhythms of prayer, work, and community. But how did this connection begin?
The origins of coffee are commonly traced to the ninth century in Ethiopia when a goat herder noticed his animals’ unusual energy after eating bright red berries from a particular plant. From there, coffee spread to Eastern Africa, Yemen, the Arabian Peninsula, and eventually much of the Islamic world.
As coffee gained popularity in the Middle East, it was initially met with suspicion in parts of Europe. Some critics argued that Christians should avoid the beverage, calling it “Satan’s drink” because of its association with the Muslim world. As the story goes, Pope Clement VIII asked to try a cup of coffee after his court requested that he denounce the drink. After the taste test, tradition holds that the pope announced, “This ‘Satan’s drink’ is so delicious that it would be a pity to let the infidels have exclusive use of it.” The pope then “baptized” the coffee beans to rid them of Satan’s influence. After Pope Clement VIII provided his papal approval, coffee consumption spread through Europe.
Coffee’s connection to Catholic religious life has even found its way into everyday language. The cappuccino takes its name from the Capuchin friars, its color said to resemble their brown habit, and its name derived from the Italian word cappuccio, meaning “hood.” Click here to read more about coffee in Catholic culture.
If you are curious how Pope Leo takes his coffee, check out this article from the National Catholic Register.