(CNN) While in Washington, Pope Francis canonized a Spanish missionary buried at a mission in California. Over the weekend, a statue of the new saint was vandalized.

Staff at the Carmel Mission Basilica found the courtyard statue of St. Junipero Serra toppled and splattered with paint. Police are investigating, the basilica said on its Facebook page.

"Apparently a person or persons broke in, splattered paint and toppled down the courtyard statue of St. Serra and other historic statues on display," the post said.

Other parts of the mission near Monterey Bay were also vandalized, including tombstones and other statues, police told CNN affiliate KSBW

Within hours of reporting the vandalizing, volunteers came out to clean up the mess, the basilica said.

Read More