The United States will soon be able to boast of another saint – Blessed Junipero Serra – who will be canonized during the Pope’s visit later this year.

CNA/EWTN News is reporting that the Pope made the announcement during his flight from Sri Lanka to the Philippines earlier this morning.

“In September, God willing, I will canonize Junipero Serra in the United States,” the pope told reporters.

Bl. Serra lived in California in the 1700s. A Franciscan missionary priest who was born in Spain, he founded the first nine of 21 missions in California and is considered to be the founder of those missions. He also worked with Native Americans and is believed to have baptized more than 6,000 people in his lifetime.

“He was the evangelizer of the west in the United States,” Pope Francis said.

The canonization will take place during the pope’s visit scheduled to take place from September 25-27. The exact date venue for the canonization have not yet been announced.

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