Dec 8, 2018 National Holiday

Trains run 365 days a year in Italy, buses and subways will run on the reduced Sunday schedule.

In Rome "reduced" means that only the 3 subway lines offer an acceptable service.

Museum, shops and restaurants will stay open for Italian tourists taking a long week-end.

I'd check the Vatican's Museum website as it's owned and managed by the Roman Catholic Church and they follow their own rules. Same for Churches that could be open only for religious services.

Schools, banks and public offices will be closed.

Nobody cares much about December 8 out of churches, it's just a day off. These days cities officially celebrate only their own Patron Saint's day and Easter.

Buses are on a Sunday/Holiday schedule, otherwise business as usual as long as you do not need Poste Italiane or a bank. In fact, restaurants will be rather busier at lunch as many people have big lunches out.

Demi, Where will you be on Dec 8? It is the day most towns turn on their Christmas lights and is the official start to the holiday season.

Laurel we will probably be in Catania or Taormina area