Before Monday, a Pope had never visited a Pentecostal church.

Pope Francis made an official visit to the Evangelical Church of Reconciliation in Caserta, Italy and delivered a talk apologizing for the persecution of Pentecostals in the past by members of the Roman Catholic Church.

“Among those who persecuted and denounced Pentecostals, almost as if they were crazy people trying to ruin the race, there were also Catholics,” Francis said, according to The Associated Press, referring to Italy’s fascist regime when the Pentecostal practice was forbidden.  “I am the pastor of Catholics, and I ask your forgiveness for those Catholic brothers and sisters who didn’t know and were tempted by the devil.”

The Pope himself recognized the historical significance of the moment and took the time to make sure it was clear how he viewed those who follow Christ but are not Catholics.

“Someone will be surprised: ‘The pope went to visit the evangelicals?’ But he went to see his brothers,” the Pope said.

Pastor Giovanni Traettino told the Pope that he felt his election was the work of the Holy Spirit.