Pope Francis honored Albanian Cardinal Ernest Simoni during the general audience on February 14, calling him a living martyr. As the 95-year-old cardinal sat on the podium of the Paul VI hall, the Holy Father addressed him, greeting him in a special way and praising him in front of the thousands of believers present.

“Let me specially salute a living martyr, Cardinal Simoni. As a priest, he endured 28 years in the communist prisons of Albania, which were among the cruelest persecutions. Today, the 95-year-old Albanian cardinal continues to bear witness. He continues to work for the Church without being discouraged,” stated the head of the Catholic Church.

Don Ernesti was arrested on Christmas night in 1963 at the end of mass in Barbullush, where he was accused of being an ‘enemy of the people.’ He was persecuted by the communist regime for 28 years. Initially, he was sentenced to death, but later his sentence was changed to forced labor.

Wednesday’s general audience coincided with the beginning of Easter Lent, prompting Pope Francis to invite everyone to experience this period as an opportunity to pray and, above all, seek peace in the world.

/m.ll/