Palermo's 400th Santa Rosalia Festival, celebrating the city's patron saint, is stirring both excitement and controversy.

While the city prepares for an extraordinary event drawing tourists in droves, Comboni missionaries from the Santa Lucia parish have voiced concerns, calling it a 'scandal'.

The jubilee festivities promise hope and spectacle, featuring a grand procession, a mini-concert by 'Il Volo' atop the cathedral, and fireworks.

City officials and law enforcement are on high alert, focusing on crowd safety as throngs are expected to flood the city center on Sunday.

Despite the criticism, the festival aims to inspire hope and unite the community in celebration of their beloved saint.