Pope Léon XIV will meet 500 sick and disabled pilgrims during his visit to Lourdes, France, a site of deep religious significance for Catholics. Lourdes is famous for its grotto, where a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous claimed to have seen apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the 19th century. The event is part of a busy agenda for the pope in the country, which includes a large mass and meetings with various religious and community groups. After celebrating mass in the field of the Sanctuary in Lourdes on Sunday, September 27, before 150,000 faithful, Léon XIV will meet these believers, many of whom have come seeking spiritual solace or healing. Among those attending is Angela, who has been visiting the grotto of Lourdes every week, kissing the rock and reflecting at Massabielle. She survived cancer a few years ago and is now in remission. "My life was in God's hands," she told BFMTV. "I didn't know what would happen. I had no strength, I couldn't eat, I lost a lot of weight. I couldn't see the light, I only saw a black wall in front of me." She said her faith helped her endure those moments and she is now ready to give thanks before the Pope. "I don't know how I will be in front of the pope. Probably... in admiration. It will be an honor and a privilege, one of the most beautiful moments of my life." Mathias, who has been tetraplegic for four years after a rugby tackle, will also meet Léon XIV. He hopes to testify to the head of the Catholic Church on behalf of all disabled people. "For me, it will really be a victory to be able to say 'you have succeeded in meeting this person because you fought'," he told BFMTV. "I think it will also be an achievement to be recognized, not to be forgotten, not to be 'just another accident victim.'" His presence highlights the pope's focus on inclusivity and support for those with physical challenges. During his day in Lourdes, Pope Léon XIV will also meet with bishops from the French Episcopal Conference, contemplative nuns, and victims of sexual violence in the Church, although the details of the latter meeting are not yet finalized. These meetings reflect the pope’s commitment to addressing a wide range of issues within the Catholic community, from spiritual guidance to social justice and pastoral care.