Italy officially recognizes the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate

The President of Italy has enacted a historic law through which the Italian state officially recognizes the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy, following a unanimous vote in both chambers of Parliament.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oana Ţoiu, announced that this recognition will allow a marriage officiated in a Romanian church in Italy to be considered a legal marriage by the Italian authorities.

Additionally, priests from Romanian churches will have access to hospitals to officiate services for the sick who request them.

This law is an important sign for the Romanian community in Italy, which consists of over a million people and represents one of the largest and oldest Romanian communities in the diaspora. Oana Ţoiu emphasized that, despite political diversity, all Italian parties supported this initiative, thus providing a sense of belonging for Romanians in Italy.