Pope Francis First To Canonize A Saint--Even Though Controversial--On US Soil

Pope Francis' visit to the United States has been fairly interesting, including the addition of a new saint to the Catholic pantheon, Junipero Serra.

He was the first saint to get canonized in the United States on Wednesday, according to The Guardian.

The pope held the elaborate canonization mass in Washington, D.C. at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, which was the largest Catholic church in the U.S. It was attended by about 25,000 people, according to The Los Angeles Times.

The epoch-making event is in the spotlight for more than one reason. Serra was a Spanish missionary, and his canonization has come under controversy due to his spotty reputation. A number of Native American groups stood outside Serra's burial site to disapprove his sainthood.

Being an active missionary in western U.S. he founded nine Catholic missions in California, after coming the US in 1769. But his record of cruelty and brutalization of Native Americans is also legendary, as they were said to have been beaten, kidnapped and forcibly held in his missions as "virtual slaves" until they converted to Catholicism.

Fifteen years ago, Pope John Paul II apologised to the native people of the Americas for the violence and subjugation they suffered. He said: "I say this to you with regret: Many grave sins were committed against the native people of America in the name of God," he said. "I humbly ask forgiveness, not only for the offense of the church herself, but also for crimes committed against the native peoples during the so-called conquest of America."

But now, why is Serra being canonized?

"Christopher Columbus and Junipero Serra should not be considered examples of piety and deliverance. It is time we all opened our eyes to what they really were -- religious extremists who were the antithesis of Christ-like and saintly," according to CNN.