Pope Francis canonized Spanish Franciscan friar Junípero Serra on Wednesday while visiting the U.S. Although Pope Francis is visiting three eastern U.S. cities, the canonization of Serra provides the Pope's visit with national relevance given the friar's work establishing missions in Baja California.
Junípero Serra, the 18th century Spanish Franciscan friar who founded a mission in Baja California and introduced Christianity to a majority of California, will be canonized by Pope Francis in the U.S. The Spanish Franciscan will be the first Hispanic saint in the U.S.
