Pope Leo XIV messages Cardinal Ernest Simoni at Albania's Spaç prison

Pope Leo XIV sent a written message to 97‑year‑old Cardinal Ernest Simoni as he presided over a Holy Mass at the former Spaç prison camp in Albania on 31 July 2026. The ceremony commemorated the victims of the communist‑era forced‑labour camp, where the cardinal spent most of an 18‑year sentence. In his message the Pope declared, “no chain is strong enough to imprison a conscience enlightened by the Gospel… no prison is deep enough to separate a person from the love of God.”

The Mass attracted clergy, political figures, and many faithful, turning the site into a pilgrimage of remembrance. Cardinal Simoni, who once celebrated secret Masses in the camp, recalled the danger of being caught. He was presented with a certificate of appreciation and a symbolic gift bearing the Spaç emblem. The Pope’s words highlighted Spaç as a painful chapter in Albanian history and a silent testimony of faith, courage and hope.

The event was reported in several languages, underscoring its cultural and historical significance for both Albania and the Vatican.