Pope Francis honors saints who spread Catholicism through Canada

{Pope Francis during the Thanksgiving mass for the canonization of the two Canadians saints on Sunday in the Vatican.}

Pope Francis held a Mass over Canada’s Thanksgiving weekend in Vatican City for the canonization of two missionaries who spread Catholicism through the territory in the 17th century.

Francis said in his homily that St. Francis de Laval and St. Marie of the Incarnation spread their faith “to the smallest and most remote” parts of Canada.

St. Francis de Laval was the first bishop of New France, known for his work defending Native Americans from exploitation.

St. Marie of the Incarnation was an Ursuline nun who founded a convent that provided equal education to daughters of French settlers and Native Americans.