Pope Francis

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Commentary:
By Mark R. Day

Pope Francis’ confirmation of his plans to canonize Fray Junipero Serra in September has led Serra’s supporters to rejoice, but has ignited strong protests among some Native Californians who reiterate their claim that Serra oppressed their ancestors and was no saint.

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<p>Pope Francis has done us all a favor, whether we’re Catholic or not.</p>
<p>In this Christmas season, he has shown the way to a more humane society.</p>
<p>He has certainly earned Time magazine’s Person of the Year commendation.</p>
<p>In his first papal exhortation, he put most leaders in the Western world to shame with his heartfelt message lamenting international hunger and inequality.</p>

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<p>The election of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio as Pope Francis has focused worldwide attention on Argentina and evoked memories of that country’s “Dirty War” of the mid-1970s. During that conflict, 18 priests, 11 seminarians and about 50 Catholic workers were killed, or disappeared, when government death squads tried to eliminate its leftist opponents.</p>