About Romania:
Geographically, Romania is about 92,000 square miles, a bit smaller than the United Kingdom and roughly the size of the U.S. state of Oregon.
Romania proclaimed its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1877. The independence was solidified during the 1877–1878 Russo-Turkish War when Romania joined the Russian side and was formally recognized by international powers through the Treaty of Berlin in 1878. Romania was a kingdom under the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen dynasty. Communists took over Romania between 1945 and 1947, heavily backed by Soviet occupation forces. A pro-communist government was installed on March 6, 1945, and the process was finalized with the forced abdication of King Michael and the proclamation of the Romanian People’s Republic on December 30, 1947.
Nicolae Ceaușescu became dictator of Romania in 1965 and ruled for 24 years (1965–1989). He led a brutal regime characterized by extreme repression, surveillance by the Securitate secret police, and a massive cult of personality. His rule resulted in systemic starvation and severe human rights abuses. A week-long uprising in December 1989 resulted in over 1,100 deaths and the execution of Ceaușescu and his wife on Christmas Day 1989. It was the only violent revolution in the Eastern Bloc,
Following the revolution, the FSN took power and organized free elections in May 1990, winning in a landslide, although the initial transition was filled with instability, violence and instability. The early 1990s were marked by severe economic struggles, including high inflation and unemployment, as the country transitioned from a command economy to one of free markets.
On May 5, 2026, the Romanian pro-EU/NATO minority government led by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan collapsed after losing a no-confidence vote, triggered by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and far-right AUR, thus creating political instability and threatening EU funding over budget deficits. While the government has fallen, the nation’s overall pro-Western foreign policy is expected to hold, with discussions for a new government underway.
Romania remains one of Europe’s poorer countries, although economic progress is taking place.
Religion in Romania:
The country is primarily Eastern Orthodox (which was largely left alone by the Communists), with Roman Catholics as a significant minority. According to 2021 census data and recent statistics, approximately 720,00 (3.9% of the population) identified as Roman Catholic, primarily Hungarians (Csangos, Székelys), Germans (Swabians), and Poles, concentrated mainly in the enclaves of the cities of Iasi and Blaj.with a notable presence in Transylvania. This community includes both Latin and Byzantine rites.
Relations remain strained between the Orthodox Church and the Greek Catholic Church (in communion with Rome), whose members suffered greatly under communist rule in Romania and whose properties were confiscated and given to the Orthodox church.
Pope John Paul II visited Romania in May 1999, at the invitation of Patriarch Teoctist of the Romanian Orthodox Church, the first papal visit to a predominantly Orthodox country, a landmark event promoting ecumenism and acknowledging the Greek Catholic Church’s suffering.
Pope Francis visited Romania in 2019, beatifying seven Greek Catholic martyr-bishops and reinforcing the Church’s role in promoting unity and human rights.
Catholic places of interest in Romania:
Bucharest: Roman Catholic churches & shrines
Craiova: Interesting Catholic Churches
Csiksomlyo: Major Marian Shrine & Miraculous Statue of Our Lady
Iași: Our Lady Queen of Iași Cathedral
Traveling to Romania:
Romania is generally considered safe, with most travel advisories recommending that visitors “exercise normal precautions”. It has a low rate of violent crime and scores well on the Global Peace Index, ranking higher than many Western European countries. However, like any destination, there are specific safety precautions travelers should take, primarily regarding petty theft and common scams.
By air: Most visitors fly in to Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP), which serves as the primary entry point. Other major cities, including Cluj-Napoca and Timișoara, also have international airports.
By train: There is train service direct to Bucharest from European cities such as Paris (Gare du Nord station).