Los Angeles, Feb 3 (EFE), (Camera: Eugene Garcia).- The Pope's recent decision to canonize 18th century Spanish missionary Junipero Serra has generated much controversy in the United States. Serra founded nine missions in California. Their prime purpose was to convert the Native American population to catholicism. However the population of Indians soon shrank after the first explorers set foot here.



Keywords: efe,epa,serra,church,canonization,pope francis,citlalli anahuac,robert capone,california.