The Feast of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December is a Catholic holy day as well as a national public holiday in Italy. The fact that it falls on a Tuesday this year means that many people in Italy have taken 7 December off to make a "ponte" (bridge) or four-day weekend.

However one of the main events associated with the day in Rome - the pope's annual pilgrimage to Piazza Mignanelli - has been cancelled due to the covid-19 crisis. Pope Francis will not to pay homage to the statue of the Madonna near the Spanish Steps "to avoid all risk of contagion caused by gatherings,” according to a statement from the Vatican press office.