Columbus was a devout Roman Catholic. His writings and actions reveal a strong belief in God's providence and a sense of divine purpose guiding his voyages. He often invoked God's name in his journals and believed that his discoveries were part of God's plan.

Columbus was deeply influenced by biblical prophecies, particularly those concerning the spread of Christianity to the ends of the earth and the conversion of all nations. He believed that his voyages were contributing to the fulfillment of these prophecies.

Columbus viewed his voyages as a means of spreading Christianity to new lands. He believed that the indigenous peoples could be converted to Christianity and that the wealth acquired from the New World could be used to fund a new crusade to liberate Jerusalem from Muslim control. This religious motivation provided a justification for the exploration and colonization efforts.

Upon landing on the first island in the Bahamas, Columbus named it San Salvador (Holy Savior), reflecting his religious convictions and his belief that God had guided him to this place. This act symbolized his intention to claim the land for Christ.

Columbus expressed a strong desire to convert the indigenous populations to Christianity. He brought missionaries on his voyages and encouraged them to learn the local languages in order to facilitate evangelization. However, his approach to conversion was often intertwined with coercion and cultural imposition.

In his later years, Columbus developed a more mystical and apocalyptic worldview. He believed that the world was nearing its end and that his voyages were playing a crucial role in the final events leading up to the Second Coming of Christ. These beliefs further fueled his determination to continue exploring and converting new lands.