Pope Francis Celebrates Mass In Washington, D.C.

During mass, the pope canonized Junipero Serra, a Spanish-born Franciscan Friar, elevating him to sainthood.

Saint Serra, who was born in Spain, founded a number Spanish missions in California between San Diego and San Francisco in the late 18th century.

The Pope praised the bishops for "the courage with which you have faced difficult moments in the recent history of the Church in this country without fear of self-criticism and at the cost of mortification and great sacrifice."

He appeared to refer to the sexual abuse scandal of the church, saying, "I realize how much the pain of recent years has weighed upon you and I have supported your generous commitment to bring healing to victims – in the knowledge that in healing we too are healed – and to work to ensure that such crimes will never be repeated."

He spoke on the many challenges faced by society today: "The innocent victim of abortion, children who die of hunger or from bombings, immigrants who drown in the search for a better tomorrow, the elderly or the sick who are considered a burden, the victims of terrorism, wars, violence and drug trafficking, the environment devastated by man's predatory relationship with nature..."

He urged the U.S. to "not be afraid to welcome immigrants" — a topic he said was close to his heart.

"Now you are facing this stream of Latin immigration which affects many of your dioceses," the pope said. "Not only as the Bishop of Rome, but also as a pastor from the South, I feel the need to thank and encourage you."

He acknowledged that the country will be "challenged by [the immigrants'] diversity" but said that they "possess resources meant to be shared."

"I am certain that, as so often in the past, these people will enrich America and its Church."