On 4 October 2008 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that it will build a temple in Rome, Italy. The temple will be located in the countryside outside of Rome, but will have good access via highway. However, it wasn't until 1965 that the mission re-opened, with permission from the Italian government to proselyte. Today there are about 23,000 Latter-day Saints in Italy. The Church is attempting to win state status in Italy along with already established religions. The prime minister gave his approval in 2007, and now parliament has to vote in the affirmative.