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Standing in the courtyard of the former prison, Cardinal Simoni recalled the night that changed his life forever.
"On Christmas Eve, four men placed handcuffs on me in the name of the people to hang me."
His testimony transformed the former prison into a place of remembrance, resilience, and hope. Addressing Albanians, the Cardinal delivered a simple but profound message: love one another, love your homeland, and always defend the truth.
The visit also carried a message from Pope Leo XIV, who described Spaç as one of the deepest wounds in Albania's history. In his letter, the Pope urged that the memory of the victims of communist persecution must remain alive to safeguard human dignity, freedom, and peace for future generations.
For many Albanians, Spaç is far more than the remains of a former prison. It stands as a symbol of the suffering endured by thousands of political prisoners and clergy who refused to abandon their beliefs under the communist regime. Cardinal Simoni's return underscored the enduring truth that faith, freedom, and human dignity cannot be imprisoned.
Who Is Cardinal Ernest Simoni?
Ernest Simoni was born on October 9, 1928, in the village of Troshan, northern Albania, into a Catholic family. At the age of ten, he entered the Franciscan College, where he studied until 1948, when Enver Hoxha's communist regime closed religious institutions as part of its campaign against faith.
After completing compulsory military service between 1953 and 1955, Simoni was ordained a Catholic priest on April 7, 1956, at the age of 28.
His life took a dramatic turn on December 24, 1963, when communist authorities arrested him after he celebrated Mass in memory of assassinated U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Initially sentenced to death, his punishment was later commuted to 25 years of imprisonment and forced labor. He ultimately spent 18 years behind bars, including 12 years at the infamous Spaç Prison, before being released.
Following the collapse of communism in the early 1990s, Simoni resumed his pastoral ministry, serving Catholic communities across northern Albania.
His extraordinary story gained worldwide attention in 2014, when he shared his testimony with Pope Francis during the pontiff's historic visit to Albania. Deeply moved by Simoni's witness of faith and forgiveness, Pope Francis elevated him to the College of Cardinals on November 19, 2016, making him one of the most powerful living symbols of religious perseverance.
Now over the age of 80, Cardinal Simoni is no longer eligible to participate in a papal conclave, but his voice continues to inspire believers and defenders of human rights around the world.
Cardinal Ernest Simoni's return to Spaç was more than a personal journey—it was a reminder that while tyranny can imprison bodies, it can never silence faith, truth, or the human spirit.