The Catholic Church played an important role in the Spanish conquest of the Americas by insisting the indigenous people submit not only to Spanish rule but also accept Christianity. The Spanish conquistadors destroyed religious symbols of native peoples in an attempt to break their spirit and convince them that the Christian God was more powerful. While some natives converted seeing the Spanish God as stronger, there was never a true spiritual conquest as priests did not understand indigenous religions and many did not attempt to. The legacy of the Catholic Church's role in the conquest continues to influence the region.