Nativity scenes: Miniatures of the very first Christmas

In 1223, in Italy, St. Francis of Assisi created the very first Nativity scene as we know it, to inspire the local townspeople. Meant to mark the birth of Jesus, each crèche is an artistic expression of personal faith. Correspondent Nikki Battiste talks with professor Eric Barreto of the Princeton Theological Seminary about the history of Nativities, and visits the University of Dayton's Marian Library collection of Nativities from around the world. She also checks out a living Nativity scene in Mount Laurel, N.J.

• Dec 22, 2019
• 05:21

Almanac: Saving the Leaning Tower of Pisa

On December 15, 2001, one of the world's most recognizable and beloved landmarks reopened to the public after an 11-year renovation aimed at preventing a catastrophe. Jane Pauley reports on the effort to protect Italy's Leaning Tower of Pisa.

• Dec 15, 2019
• 02:22

Climate change threatening Prosecco vineyards

Climate change is creating new challenges for the production of the popular sparkling wine Prosecco. Seth Doane traveled to Mansue, Italy to see how they're working to make sure warmer temperatures do not alter the wine's taste and pungency.

• Nov 28, 2019
• 02:46

Waters in Venice rise again after damaging floods

Just two weeks after the worst flooding in Venice's history, the waters are rising again. Tourists in heavy boots waded through St. Mark's Square today. The water at high tide peaked at more than 50 inches. The monthlong floods have damaged half of the city's 120 churches.

• Nov 24, 2019
• 00:20

The Dish: Chef Nicholas Stefanelli

Nicholas Stefanelli became a chef after rediscovering his roots in Italy. He grew up in Maryland with both Greek and Italian grandparents who loved to cook. He originally considered a career in the fashion industry, but after a fateful trip to Italy, where he sampled some of the country's best cuisine, he decided to enter the food industry. Stefanelli joins "CBS This Morning Saturday."

• Nov 23, 2019
• 04:31

Global headlines: Iraq, Argentina, Italy

Protests continue in Iraq; Argentina's president-elect promises to legalize abortion; and Venice declares a state of emergency after third flood in less than a week. Rylee Carlson rounds up world headlines for CBSN.

• Nov 18, 2019
• 02:04

Venice suffers record flooding

Venice, Italy, remains under water after a new high tide hit the city. Washington Post reporter Kim Bellware joins CBSN to discuss the damage and what the flooding means for the historic Italian city.

• Nov 17, 2019
• 03:15

Art restorers: Making the old new

The painstaking work of art restoration is often done in a studio or a lab, removing decades of dulling dirt and dust, or repairing works that has been damaged, always with the aim of helping art – meant to stand the test of time – keep time at bay. Lee Cowan reports.

• Nov 17, 2019
• 06:58

Homes in Sicily, Italy, sold for one euro

In parts of Italy, homes are practically being given away with a price tag of one euro. But the deal comes with a catch. Seth Doane reports.

• Nov 16, 2019
• 04:29

Venice high tide could hit twice normal level

Venice, Italy, is facing the second worst flooding in nearly 100 years, and high tide could hit nearly twice the normal level on Friday. At least two people have died, and the city's mayor has closed the historic St. Mark's Square. Holly Williams reports.

• Nov 15, 2019
• 01:32

Venice hit with historic flooding

One of the world's most popular tourist destinations was declared a disaster on Thursday. Venice, Italy, has been swamped by the worst flooding in a half-century. As Holly Williams reports, the damage has left the city in deep trouble.

• Nov 14, 2019
• 01:51

Venice swamped with severe flooding

High tides and a heavy storm surge have caused severe flooding in Venice, Italy – swamping historic sections of the city. CBS News producer Erin Lyall joined CBSN from Venice with the latest details.

• Nov 14, 2019
• 01:25

Latest Venice floods are a disaster

Venice, Italy is suffering its worst flooding in more than 50 years. At least two people have died, and the damage is estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Holly Williams reports.

• Nov 14, 2019
• 02:35

Trump's tariffs to make parmesan pricey

The Trump administration imposed a fresh round of tariffs on European goods Friday that will affect $7.5 billion worth of products, including wine, liquor and parmesan cheese. In Italy, cheese producers say their traditional product, and its sale to the U.S., is now under threat. Seth Doane reports.

• Oct 19, 2019
• 03:41

TikTok's biggest star leaves U.S. after being detained by ICE agents

Khaby Lame rose to international fame during the pandemic without ever saying a word in his videos. He has over 162 million followers on TikTok.

• Jun 11, 2025

Minnesota native Greta Myers shares Olympic aspirations

From a young age, Greta Myers had dreams of being an Olympian. She just didn't know what sport would take her there.

• Jun 10, 2025

Violin making

For hundreds of years, craftsmen have been turning to the forests of Northern Italy for the fine woods that make violins, pianos and other instruments sing. Seth Doane reports on how the trees from the fabled Fiemme Forest are fashioned by luthiers into exquisite instruments.

• Jan 28, 2018
• 04:08

American Airlines flight diverted because it was too big for its destination

American Airlines Flight 780 left Philadelphia International Airport on Monday en route to Naples, Italy, but it was diverted before reaching its destination.

• Jun 8, 2025

Pepperoni rolls, the pride of West Virginia

In the 1920s, a coal miner from Calabria, Italy who resettled in West Virginia coal country opened the Country Club Bakery in Fairmont, and introduced the pepperoni roll, a portable meal that miners really dug into. Conor Knighton talks with food writer Candace Nelson about why West Virginians can't get enough of their delicious, utilitarian snack.

• Nov 18, 2018
• 03:20

Getting a slice of the pizza business

For one week every year, the center of the known pizza universe isn't Naples, Italy, or New York (or even Chicago); it's Las Vegas, when the International Pizza Expo rolls into town, bringing with it thousands of professional pizza-makers, and those dreaming of getting into the business. Luke Burbank talks with international pizza consultant Anthony Falco, aspiring pizzeria owners, and others who have pursued their dreams and are now rolling in dough.

• May 5, 2019
• 05:03

Nature: Tuscan countryside

"Sunday Morning" takes us to Villa Le Corti, just outside Florence. Videographer: Mike Hernandez.

• May 19, 2019
• 00:51

Going nuts for Nutella

The rich chocolate-hazelnut creation, known to the world as Nutella, has been a staple for generations of local cooks. Seth Doane visited the Langhe region of Piedmont, Italy, where the rolling hills are covered with hazelnut trees, and with confectioners and pastry makers who bask in the delights of the hazelnut.

• May 19, 2019
• 03:09

Michelangelo's David, a Renaissance masterpiece

Michelangelo's masterpiece, the 17-foot-tall statue of David, stands front-and-center at the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence. Jane Pauley reflects on the quintessence of Renaissance art. (Originally broadcast May 19, 2019.)

• Aug 18, 2019
• 02:08

Sting, Trudie Styler, and a villa in Italy

Il Palagio, a 400-year-old villa in Tuscany, is a summer house that the singer-musician Sting, and his wife, Trudie Styler, bought for a song or two. They've fixed it up, and brought the olive groves, vineyards and vegetable gardens back to life. Sting and Trudie talk with correspondent Alina Cho about music, raising a family, and revitalizing a cherished homestead. (Originally broadcast May 19, 2019.)

• Aug 18, 2019
• 06:49

Under the Tuscan sun with author Frances Mayes

In 1990, American professor and poet Frances Mayes felt an irresistible urge to buy a derelict 300-year-old property. She transformed it into one of the most famous villas in Tuscany, attracting a constant stream of tourists, thanks to her bestselling memoir about restoring the house, called "Under the Tuscan Sun." The book spent more than two-and-a-half years on the bestseller list, and later became a popular film. Mayes talks with correspondent Rita Braver about her unexpected success, her adopted village of Cortona, and her latest book, "See You in the Piazza: New Places to Discover in Italy." (Originally broadcast May 19, 2019.)

• Aug 18, 2019
• 04:03

Show More