Reports: Pope may canonize Father Junipero Serra.

New reports out Thursday say that Pope Francis will canonize Father Junipero Serrra during his trip the the U.S. in September.

Serra is a very well-known figure on the central coast. He established more than 20 mission in California including the Carmel Mission, where he was buried.

NewsChannel 5 spoke to a local deacon on whether the pontiff would make a pit stop on the central coast.

“He did say he intended to tie this with his visit to the United States in September. We know he’s going to Philadelphia, we know that he is going to New York. We he change his plans and come to California, I have no idea. Is there a chance? Certainly,” said Deacon Bill Ditewig.

Deacon Ditewig says most canonization ceremonies take place in Rome.