Pope Francis asked forgiveness for the Catholic Church's persecution of members of a small evangelical church in Italy whose leader was excommunicated and followers branded as heretics during the Middle Ages. Francis made the appeal during the first-ever visit by a pope to a Waldensian house of worship. The Waldensian church was founded in the 12th century by a wealthy merchant from Lyon, France - Pierre Valdo, who gave up his belongings to preach a Gospel of simplicity and poverty that condemned papal excesses. He was excommunicated and his followers persecuted as heretics by Rome. The Waldensians today are united with the Methodist Church of Italy and claim 45,000 followers, mostly in Italy, Argentina and Uruguay. ‘On the part of the Catholic Church, I ask your forgiveness, I ask it for the non-Christian and even inhuman attitudes and behaviour that we have showed you,’ Francis said sombrely from the altar. ‘In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us!’