• U.S.

Pope Francis’ Newest Saint May Not Last at U.S. Capitol

3 minute read

Though Pope Francis will soon formalize Junípero Serra’s status as a saint in the Catholic Church, the California friar’s place in the U.S. Capitol is less secure.

A bronze statue of Serra currently stands in the National Statuary Hall, south of the Capitol Rotunda, where the pope will speak Thursday. The statue, one of two chosen by California to represents its history and culture, recognizes the Spanish-born friar who started nine missions in the 19th century.

But while Francis will canonize Serra Wednesday, there is a movement afoot to replace the statue of him in the Capitol with one of astronaut Sally Ride, the first American woman in space.

The House of Representatives started the Statuary Hall Collection in 1864, so that states could commemorate two of their own citizens within the Capitol. By 1933, the burden of only 65 out of 100 possible statues was already too much for the Hall, as the structure would not support all the weight. Congress decided to limit the states to one statue in the Hall each.

Read More: This Is the California Friar the Pope Is About to Canonize

The steps for replacing a statue in the Hall are complex, but any proposal first requires approval from the state legislature and governor. Architect of the Capitol spokesperson Laura Condeluci told TIME in an email that six states to date have decided to change their statues, all since 2003.

Earlier this year, California State Sen. Ricardo Lara proposed a measure to swap out Serra’s figure with a statue of Ride. Ride would also be the first statue of a gay or lesbian in the hall. Many Native Americans in California, who disapprove of Serra’s treatment of indigenous people, support the measure and are protesting the Pope’s canonization of Serra.

California Gov. Jerry Brown, however, does not agree with the change.

“Tragedy and good and evil often inhere in the same situation,” he said in response to the outcry in January. “And that doesn’t mean we won’t have our saints. It’s just that we have to understand that saints, like everybody else, are not perfect.”

The measure passed the State Senate, but Lara requested to postpone a vote in the other chamber until after the Pope’s visit. An assemblyman and state senator said in a June statement that debating the bill before Francis’ visit “would have conveyed a terrible message to him and millions of Catholics around the world.”

In the meantime, Brown said during a July visit to Rome that Serra’s statue would remain in the Hall “until the end of time.”

Read Next: Here Are the 5 Controversies Over Pope Francis’ Visit to Washington

See Photos of Pope Francis’ Historic Visit to U.S.

Pope Francis sits on board his plane bound for Rome after his six-day visit to the United States, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 27, 2015. REUTERS/Charles Mostoller TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Pope Francis sits on board his Rome-bound plane after his visit to the U.S. in Philadelphia, on Sept. 27, 2015.Charles Mostoller—Reuters
A man looks at a television screen showing Pope Francis taking a pause as he celebrates mass at the Festival of Families Sunday mass along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
A man looks at a television screen showing Pope Francis as he celebrates the Festival of Families Sunday mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015.Carlos Barria—Reuters
A man holds a child as Pope Francis celebrates Mass, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
A man holds a child as Pope Francis celebrates mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015.Matt Slocum—AP
Pope Francis conducts a papal mass on the final day of events in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pope Francis conducts the final mass of his U.S. visit in Philadelphia, on Sept. 27, 2015.Mark Makela—Reuters
People without tickets watch on video screens, miles away from the altar and the secured area surrounding it, as Pope Francis celebrates mass in Philadelphia
People without tickets watch on video screens as Pope Francis celebrates mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015.Jonathan Ernst—Reuters
Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the pope mobile during a parade along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway before Mass on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Philadelphia (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the pope mobile during a parade along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway before Mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015.Michael Perez—AP
US Pope Francis
Crowds wait to go through security checkpoint before entering the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the Papal Mass on Sept. 27, 2015, in Philadelphia.Michael Perez—AP
APTOPIX US Pope Francis
A family from Trenton, N.J., originally from Ecuador, walk over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge ahead of a Sunday Mass to be delivered by Pope Francis in Philadelphia, on Sept. 27, 2015.Julio Cortez—AP
US Pope Francis
Pope Francis waves to the crowd during a parade in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.Matt Rourke—AP
US Pope Francis
Pope Francis takes the stage during the Festival of Families in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.Matt Slocum—AP
Pope Francis
People pray and watch as Pope Francis celebrates mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015. James Robinson—AP
Pope Francis
The wind lifts Pope Francis' mantle as he delivers his speech in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.Tony Gentile—AP
Pope Francis
Pope Francis is greeted by seminarians as he arrives at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, on Sept. 26, 2015, in Wynnewood, Pa.Mel Evans—AP
Nuns wait for Pope Francis' arrival at the Festival of Families rally along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Nuns wait for Pope Francis' arrival at the Festival of Families rally along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.Carlos Barria—Reuters
Pope Francis, Michael Keating
Pope Francis kisses and blesses Michael Keating, 10, of Elverson, Pa after arriving in Philadelphia and exiting his car when he saw the boy, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, at Philadelphia International Airport.Joseph Gidjunis—World Meeting of Families/AP
APTOPIX US Pope Francis
Pope Francis reads his homily while celebrating high Mass at Madison Square Garden, on Sept. 25, 2015 in New York City.Julie Jacobson—AP
APTOPIX US Pope Francis
A crucifix hangs above member of the clergy who watch as Pope Francis, not shown, celebrates Mass at Madison Square Garden, on Sept. 25, 2015 in New York City.Michael Appleton—AP
Pope Francis Rides In Motorcade Through New York's Central Park
Thousands of people watch Pope Francis ride in the popemobile through Central Park on Sept. 25, 2015 in New York City.Justin Sullivan—Getty Images
APTOPIX US Pope Francis
Pope Francis arrives in his car for a visit to Our Lady Queen of Angels School in the Harlem neighborhood of New York, on Sept. 25, 2015.Eric Thayer—AP
Pope Francis US Visit
Security personnel watch from the back of a vehicle as Pope Francis tours Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem in New York City, on Sept. 25, 2015. Brendan McDermid—Reuters
Pope Francis US Visit World Trade Center
Pope Francis and Cardinal Timothy Dolan, left, pray at the South Pool of the 9/11 Memorial in downtown Manhattan, on Sept. 25, 2015. John Minchillo—AP
Pope Francis US Visit United Nations
Pope Francis is seen on a video monitor as he signs the United Nations guest book before addressing the General Assembly at United Nations headquarters in New York City, on Sept. 25, 2015.Mary Altaffer—AP
US-VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE
Pope Francis makes his way down 5th Avenue in New York City to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City on Sept. 24, 2015.Damon Winter—AFP/Getty Images
People in the crowds outside of St. Patrick's Cathedral take pictures in New York
People in the crowds outside of St. Patrick's Cathedral take pictures in New York City, on Sept. 24, 2015.Damon Winter—The New York Times/Reuters
Pope Francis
A New York City police officer searches nuns outside St. Patrick's Cathedral prior to the arrival of Pope Francis in New York, on Sept. 24, 2015.Damon Winter—AP/The New York Times
US-VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE
Pope Francis reaches out to 5th grader Omodele Ojo of East New York, Brooklyn as he is greeted as he arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sept. 24, 2015, in New York.Craig Ruttle—AFP/Getty Images
US-VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE
Pope Francis waves to supporters as he arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, on Sept. 24, 2015.Craig Ruttle—AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis US Visit Congress
Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the Speakers Balcony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015.Doug Mills—Getty Images
Pope Francis US Visit Congress
Pope Francis pauses in front of a sculpture of Spanish-born Junipero Serra, the Franciscan Friar known for starting missions in California, in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015Michael Reynolds—Getty Images
Pope Francis US Visit Congress
Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015.Evan Vucci—AP
Pope Francis US Visit Congress
Pope Francis listens to applause before addressing a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015, Alessandra Tarantino—AP
Pope Francis US Visit Congress
Pope Francis and Speaker of the House John Boehner speak in the US Capitol building as the Pope arrives to deliver his speech to a joint meeting of Congress in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015. Bill Clark—EPA
Pope Francis US Visit mass Canonization
Pope Francis performs Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis US Visit mass Canonization
Pope Francis greets and blesses seminarians, novices, religious guests inside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Jim Bourg—Reuters
Pope Francis US Visit mass Canonization
Pope Francis arrives for the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Rob Carr—Getty Images
Pope Francis US Visit National Mall
St. Mathews Cathedral is reflected in a nearby building as onlookers wait for Pope Francis to arrive for midday prayer service at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Jose Luis Magana—AP
Pope Francis US Visit National Mall
Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile during a parade along Constitution Avenue in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Alex Brandon—AP
Pope Francis US Visit National Mall
Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile during a parade in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Alex Brandon—AP
Pope Francis US Visit White House
President Barack Obama talks with Pope Francis in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Tony Gentile—AP
Pope Francis US Visit White House
President Barack Obama and Pope Francis walk down the Colonnade before meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Andrew Harnik—AP
Pope Francis US Visit White House
First Lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, and Pope Francis wave during an arrival ceremony at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis US Visit White House
Guests watch as President Barack Obama greets Pope Francis during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis US Visit White House
Pope Francis speaks alongside President Barack Obama during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis US Visit White House
President Barack Obama welcomes Pope Francis during an arrival ceremony at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Win McNamee—Getty Images
Pope Francis US Visit White House
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama accompany Pope Francis to the stage during a state arrival ceremony, on Sept. 23, 2015, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. Andrew Harnik—AP
Pope Francis US Visit White House
People wait for the arrival of Pope Francis at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis US Visit White House
Pope Francis takereceives a kiss, outside the Apostolic Nunciature to the United States in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015 .Molly Riley—AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis US Visit White House
A man holds up a Papal flag as he waits for Pope Francis departure from the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican's diplomatic mission in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Cliff Owen—AP
Pope Francis US Visit
Pope Francis waves from a Fiat 500 as his motorcade departs from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.Andrew Harnik—AP
Pope Francis US Visit
A crowd of supporters cheer as they attend the arrival of Pope Francis at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, on Sept. 22, 2015.Kevin Lamarque—Reuters
Pope Francis US Visit
Pope Francis is greeted by President Barack Obama, the First Family and children after arriving at Joint Base Andrews, Md, on Sept. 22, 2015. Michael Reynolds—EPA
Pope Francis US Visit
President Barack Obama welcomes Pope Francis to the United States as the Pontiff greets dignitaries upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, on Sept. 22, 2015.Kevin Larmarque—Reuters
President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and others, greet Pope Francis upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.
President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and others, greet Pope Francis upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015. Andrew Harnik—AP
Pope Francis US Visit
Pope Francis steps off his plane at Andrews Air Force Base in Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis US Visit
Pope Francis arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis US Visit
Clergy brace for the wind as they stand along the red carpet on the tarmac at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015, as the plane carrying Pope Francis arrives.Andrew Harnik—AP
Pope Francis US Visit
US Air Force honor guard unroll the red carpet before Pope Francis arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Md, on Sept. 22, 2015.Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis US Visit
Pope Francis arrives to the United States from Cuba at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images

More Must-Reads from TIME

Write to Julia Zorthian at julia.zorthian@time.com