During the Age of Discovery, Christian missions to indigenous peoples were run hand-in-hand with the colonial efforts of Catholic nations such as Portugal, Spain, and France.
Notes on verification
Multiple independent authoritative sources (Britannica, National Geographic, academic projects) corroborate the claim with specific institutional mechanisms (patronato/padroado system, Doctrine of Discovery). The verification cites primary historical frameworks and cross-references from religious, academic, and historical perspectives.
Sources
- Catholic Church and the Age of Discovery (wikipedia)