Pope Francis will declare Friar Junipero Serra a saint at a Mass celebrated at the National Shrine in Washington on September 23 during the pontiff's first visit to the United States. The Franciscan friar from Spain built a series of missions along the Pacific coast in the 18th century, in what is now California, to spread the faith among Native Americans. His advocates say he supported the Indians, introducing cattle and crops to their land. The Vatican has defended Serra against accusations that, as part of the Spanish colonial system, he suppressed Native Americans. Serra's resting place is inside the Basilica at the Carmel Mission south of San Francisco.