Italy: Architectural Faith (the building of one of Europe's biggest churches)
6 minutes, 2003
Ref: 315

It’s destined to be one of the most famous - and the most visited - churches in the world. But it took weeks of faxed blessings from Capuchin monks to persuade Italian star architect Renzo Piano - best known for creating the Pompidou centre with Richard Rogers - to design it. The monks finally wore him down 10 years ago - and he’s been building a basilica for his country’s favourite saint, Padre Pio, ever since. It’s almost finished. We journeyed to San Giovanni Rotondo in southern Italy, to take a look.