Pope Francis celebrates mass at the North American College in Rome May 2, 2015. REUTERS/Tony Gentile
ROME (Reuters) - Pope Francis defended an 18th-century Spanish priest on Saturday from accusations he brutalised Native Americans in missionary work that helped lay the foundations for the Catholic Church in the United States.
The pope intends to declare Father Junipero Serra a saint at a Mass celebrated at the National Shrine in Washington on Sept 23 during his U.S. visit.
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