Crossword Genius

Simple article about the Italian church (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

basilica

'church' is the definition.
(basilica is a kind of church)

'simple article about the italian' is the wordplay.
'simple' becomes 'basic' ('basic' can be a synonym of 'simple'**).
'article' becomes 'a' (indefinite article).
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'the italian' becomes 'il' (the in Italian).
'basic'+'a'='basica'
'basica' going around 'il' is 'BASILICA'.

(Other definitions for basilica that I've seen before include "Roman building used for public administration" , "Large church building" , "Bails CIA out of the large church" , "Palatial church" , "A large Christian church with two rows of columns (8)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app