Paolo Penko makes the Cardinal’s Cross for Ernest Simoni

Master goldsmith Paolo Penko has created a cardinal’s cross for Cardinal Ernest Simoni of Albania.

It was a great emotion and joy to receive the blessing of our new workshop from Cardinal Ernest Simoni of Albania, for whom we made the Cardinal’s Cross.

Ernest Simoni is also known as ‘The Living Martyr’.

He spent 28 years in prison, tortured and sentenced to forced labour in the sewers of Albania during the communist regime. “They did everything to eliminate me but the Lord never abandoned me. I was sentenced to death by hanging, but God saved me”.

“Ernest Simoni created Cardinal Deacon of Santa Maria della Scala by Pope Francis in 2016, Simoni says his cardinal’s biretta “Is the redemption of the Albanian people”.