"A Participant in European Colonialism—or Even Genocide—Against Indigenous People"

"Some have suggested Francis may feel a kinship with Serra, who left a cushy academic position in Spain for a remote and often grueling posting, but the canonization seems odd from a pope who has made a point of apologizing for the church's 'many grave sins' against indigenous peoples. He's widely expected to address this dark history during the canonization today, but for many descendants of those Serra was sent to convert it will ring pretty hollow."

Joshua Keating in Slate discusses the elevation of Junipero Serra to sainthood.