Lourdes, a small town in the Hautes-Pyrénées region of southern France with a population of around 13,000, is getting ready for the arrival of Pope Léon XIV. The visit is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, and is expected to bring in as many as 200,000 visitors. Lourdes is best known for its famous grotto, a site of Catholic pilgrimage believed to be the location of apparitions by the Virgin Mary in the 19th century. However, the town is not prepared to handle such a large number of people, and officials have put in place strict measures to manage the crowds, including traffic restrictions and heightened security. Local business owners are worried about the impact of the visit on their operations. One restaurateur expressed concern that pilgrims, who are expected to arrive in large numbers, may not stop to eat as they rush to the grotto. He explained that once pilgrims reach their destination, they might not return to the town due to concerns about missing their place in the queue, which could leave his restaurant without customers for much of the day. Another local bar owner, Laurent, said that traffic restrictions and security measures will make it difficult for visitors to access his business. He expects people to need to arrive several hours early to go through the security checkpoints, which could reduce the overall number of customers. Residents of Lourdes are bracing for a disruption to their daily lives during the two-day visit. Some have already made plans to adjust their schedules for the week ahead, anticipating long lines, noise, and limited access to local services. However, not everyone is happy with how the event is being organized. Some residents have criticized the timing of recent administrative changes, particularly the appointment of a new prefect, which they believe has created confusion and added pressure to the town just before the pope’s arrival. Despite these concerns, the visit is expected to be a major event for the region, drawing international attention and highlighting the spiritual significance of Lourdes for millions of Catholics worldwide.