 Under Archbishop Cantwell's sponsorship the Cristero refugees became a substantial community in Los Angeles, California, in 1934 staging a parade some 40,000-strong through the city.The Calles Law was repealed after Cárdenas became president in 1934.Cárdenas earned respect from Pope Pius XI and befriended Mexican Archbishop Luis María Martinez, a major figure in Mexico's Catholic Church who successfully persuaded Mexicans to obey the government's laws peacefully.