Simona Klodnischi

The National Bank of Romania (BNR) has a balanced approach to the adoption of the euro, BNR governor Mugur Isarescu said on Tuesday, mentioning that this requires a high real convergence, as well as keeping the pace after Romania joins the eurozone.

The Public Finance Ministry (MFP) seeks to raise this June from commercial banks 4.425 bln lei, of which 400 ml lei through an issue of discount T-bills, and 3.5 bln lei through new or reopened government bonds. Another 535 million lei might add to these amounts through additional non-competitive bids related to bond auctions.

Pope Francis blessed on Saturday in Iasi the about 800 ailing people who waited for him in the 'Our Lady Queen of Iasi' Roman Catholic Cathedral, thanking them for bravely bearing their illness. "I thank you all who accompany them and I thank you, the sick, for bearing the illness," said the Pontiff, who also asked the faithful to pray for him.

President Klaus Iohannis visited the 'Step by Step' alternative education school in Bucharest this Saturday, on the International Children's Day; the students presented him with a cat made from recyclable materials. Iohannis said he very much liked the open and outspoken way of the children who learn at this education unit. "Let me start by congratulating you on the various occasions at hand.

Pope Francis presented on Saturday the Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary in Sumuleu Ciuc with a Golden Rose, a gift the Popes have been offering since long to the world's major sanctuaries. The Pontiff placed the rose at the feet of the wonder-working statue of the Virgin Mary.

The annual pilgrimage to Sumuleu Ciuc is part of the Transylvanian heritage, but it equally honors Romanian and Hungarian traditions and is the symbol of dialogue, unity and brotherhood, Pope Francis said in his message delivered on Saturday at the Sumuleu Ciuc Marian shrine.

Pope Francis said on Friday at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest that he came as a pilgrim of brotherhood and referenced Pope John Paul II's visit to Romania in 1999.

The Amateur Film Factory, the project of renowned French director, screenwriter and producer Michel Gondry, landed in Cluj Napoca on the occasion of the 18th edition of the Transylvania International Film Festival (TIFF), and will stay here for two and a half months.

The Catholic churches in Miercurea Ciuc will stay open all night for the pilgrims who would wish to rest or just step into the worship places on their way to the Marian shrine in Sumuleu Ciuc, where Pope Francis will celebrate Mass on Saturday, on the second day of his apostolic visit to Romania.

Pope Francis begins on Friday a three-day apostolic visit to Romania, His Holiness being awaited by the authorities, hierarchs and pilgrims in Bucharest, Sumuleu-Ciuc, Iasi and Blaj.