From www.meteo.it the report is RAIN for this Sunday in Rome and the vicinity so, I would love to hear suggestions for seeing Rome and staying dry, did this happen on your trip? Thanks.

Art galleries? museums? people watching in cafes? The Vatican?

This is a very hard question to answer with specifics without knowing more about your tastes: what would you have scheduled if it hadn't been raining?

I have been at Christmas and had rain every day. No big deal, IMO, as we found plenty to enjoy. As mentioned the churches and museums are always a good choice, depending on your tastes. Check with your hotel to see if there are any indoor concerts or special events that might appeal to you.

Lingering in a cafe or enoteca is a favorite past time of mine and an afternoon nap on a rainy day can also be a nice respite from a busy schedule.

Have a great visit!

Yes, plan some museum time. preferably something big like the Vatican museum.

We were there in March and it dumped rain on the day we planned to see the colosseum and the forum. Because we'd scheduled the day with a private tour guide, we went anyway, but it was wet and cold and difficult to take photos (a passion of mine).

"Swimming Through the Colosseum and the Forum"
http://www.wired2theworld.com/ROME2008Day7.html

The problem with the obvious places in the rain is everyone is there.

A nice long lunch at Arancio sounds delicious:

http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...p;ref_item=172

Another idea is the see the inventions and machines of Leonardo da Vinci. We loved it. It is totally interactive. Open everyday from 10A to 8P, see a video introduction to the exhibit here:

http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...p;ref_item=395

Every time i've been in Rome and it starts raining immediately materialize a storm of South Asian immigrants selling umbrellas for a few euros.

You cannot get away from them and they become annoying - thrusting umbrellas at you if you do not have one.

In better weather they apparently sell flowers and gadgets at tourist sites.

You could visit the Capitoline Museums. They don't require a reservation (at least as of my last visit) and would occupy a nice chunk of time. You could also visit one of the larger churches, such as San Giovanni Laterano,Santa Maria Maggiore or Santa Maria del Popolo.

Go to WalMart and buy a couple of inexpensive folding umbrellas which won't take up much room. You can leave them in the hotel room when you pack to come back. Or go to Walmart to the camping/sports department and look for the really inexpensive (less than $2) clear plastic poncho's that fishermen use. (one will fit in a pocket) Buy about four and just toss them when you get back to the hotel. (of course you could dry and reuse them). With these you can walk in the rain without worrying about injurying someone with your umbrella. There is plenty of room under the poncho for a purse, shopping or your camera bag.
Rome is beautiful in the rain, especially when the sun comes back out shining on the cobblestones and the earth hewn walls surrouding the piazzas. Have a great vacation, a a gelato on me....

The Vatican Musuems/Sistine Chapel are closed on Sundays unless it is the last Sunday of the month, when they are open and free. Of course St. Peter's Basilica is open as are many other churches. Some great churches are only open on Sunday morning so it's a good opportunity to visit them. Just don't walk around while Mass is taking place. Have a long lunch and be sure to visit the Pantheon so you can see the rain pouring in through the circular hole in the roof.