Pope Leo XIV Meets with 97-Year-Old Cardinal, a Survivor of Communism, and Receives a Special Relic of the Albanian Martyrs
Cardinal Simoni Presents Relic of Albanian Martyrs to Pope Leo XIV
In a poignant meeting held today, April 27, at the Vatican, 97-year-old Albanian Cardinal Ernest Simoni met with Pope Leo XIV. Accompanied by roughly forty family members in the Hall of Popes, the Cardinal—revered as a "living martyr" for his survival under communist persecution—shared his reflections on the encounter with Vatican media.
A Vision of Hope and Peace
Reflecting on the audience, Cardinal Simoni described the experience as "All joy, all hope." He emphasized the spiritual significance of the meeting, noting:
"It was an atmosphere of all joy, all hope, gazing upon the face of the Holy Father—which represents the face of Jesus—to proclaim to all men the news of Heaven, of peace, of brotherhood, and of love for all the peoples of the world."
Simoni viewed the invitation as a divine favor, stating it was "certainly a special grace given to me by the Holy Spirit" and an opportunity "to proclaim together, for all the peoples of the world, the peace that comes from Heaven, the sweetest peace, spiritual joy, and the joy of the resurrection." He concluded that within this faith lies "the eternal happiness that Jesus prepared by shedding all his blood for all men of the world and of all ages."
The Legacy of a "Living Martyr"
The Cardinal’s presence at the Vatican follows his appearance alongside Pope Leo XIV during the recent Urbi et Orbi blessing on Easter Sunday. His life remains a testament to endurance:
Persecution: Arrested on Christmas 1963, he survived a death sentence and years of forced labor in Shkodra’s sewers.
Ministry: He served clandestinely until the fall of communism and recently celebrated the 70th anniversary of his ordination.
Recognition: Pope Francis, moved to tears by Simoni's story in 2014, elevated him to the cardinalate in 2016 to honor a testimony that "does good to the Church."
A Sacred Gift
Though he now resides in Florence, Simoni remains deeply connected to his roots. At the conclusion of the audience, he presented the Pontiff with a relic and a cross, explaining:
"Coming to Italy from Albania, my thoughts are with the martyrs," he said, offering "the cross and a relic of the Albanian martyrs who gave their lives for fidelity, for love of Jesus, for the salvation of the Albanian people, to look upon all men with the smile of Heaven."
As he prepares to continue his travels despite his advanced age, the Cardinal’s message remains clear: "Let us proclaim together for all the peoples of the world the peace that comes from Heaven."
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