Who were the earliest missionaries to the New World?

The earliest missionaries to the New World were primarily Spanish and Portuguese religious figures, most notably the Franciscans, Jesuits, and Dominicans. They arrived in the early 16th century alongside explorers and conquistadors, aiming to convert Indigenous peoples to Christianity. Key figures like Bartolomé de las Casas advocated for Indigenous rights while promoting the faith, though their efforts often intersected with colonial exploitation. Their work laid the foundations for the spread of Christianity throughout the Americas.