It was the Catholic Leif Erikson who discovered Canada and America, 500 years before the Christopher Columbus.
They surely had the 1st European thanksgiving, having said their prayers, followed by some pheasant and wine.Catholicism.orgLeif Ericson was a Catholic. The son of Eric the Red, of Viking fame, he was converted to Christianity around the year 1000 by St. Olaf, the king of Norway. This saintly monarch sent Ericson to spread the Faith among the inhabitants of distant Iceland; but while en route, he was caught in a terrible gale and transported all the way to America. He explored the coastline from Nova Scotia down to Cape Cod and named the area Vineland because of the excellent grapes that grew there. What most people have never heard is that Leif had monks with him on the ship.
Even Wiki history admits he was "Christian', but refuses to use the name "Catholic"
Wiki-protestant-historyLeif Erikson
Viking at MN Capitol.jpg
Statue of Leif near the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul
Born c. 970
Iceland
Died c. 1020 (age 49 or 50)[discuss]
Greenland
Nationality Norse: Icelandic-Norwegian
Occupation Explorer
Known for Discovering Vinland (Part of North America; possibly Newfoundland)
Religion Norse paganism; converted to Christianity c. 999
Partner(s) Thorgunna (c. 999)
Children Thorgils, Thorkell
Relatives Erik the Red (father), Þjóðhildur (mother), Thorvald, Thorstein and Freydís (siblings)