Rio de Janeiro , Brazil ( CNN ) -- A Christian Carnival . That 's how some in Rio have described the mood in the streets of Copacabana Beach , where hundreds of thousands of young pilgrims follow every step of visiting Pope Francis , an outspoken champion of the poor . But not everyone is celebrating in Rio . About 50 kilometers away , in the working-class suburb of Guaratiba , a last-minute change in the pope 's schedule due to heavy rainfall had devastating consequences on the lives of local merchants , many whom invested their life savings on preparing for his arrival . They were expecting hundreds of thousands to flock to their community over the weekend . Saturday 's events and Sunday 's closing Mass were supposed to take place in Guaratiba -- but were moved to Rio 's Copacabana Beach . Marcelo Rosa and his friends jumped up when they heard the news , announced earlier this year by Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes , that the pope would come to Guaratiba this weekend . Pope to Mass of millions : Get out of church . Rosa got together with his friends and borrowed about $ 50,000 in U.S. dollars to buy drinks and food to feed the pilgrims . One friend sold his car , another borrowed from the bank . When news came of the event changes , it was devastating to many . `` When they told me it was canceled , I said you 're joking , you 've got to be joking , '' Rosa said tearfully . I fainted on the spot . '' Celia Dias Carneiro , owner of the Maroeste restaurant , had gone to Guaratiba 's main square and heeded the call to action : local merchants rushed to stock up on foods and beverages . `` Since the expectations were so high , that tens of thousands were coming , I got scared , '' said Carneiro , who borrowed about $ 4,000 at a 7 % rate to buy extra seafood . `` I was hoping to get my feet out of the mud ... and now look what has happened to me . I am stuck again in the mud again , '' she said . Local organizers heard talks of money-making opportunities and prepared for the big day . An opulent stage was built over a huge field that was formerly part of a protected marshland . After this week 's heavy rains , the field became impassable , even by the trucks delivering goods . What we learned about Pope Francis in Brazil . The area has been cordoned off , but the scene of devastation was very visible , attracting angry passers-by shouting in protest and disbelief . According to a Globo news report , the organization responsible for Campus Fidei tried to drain the water , unsuccessfully . Local newspapers , including Portal Guaratiba , said while federal and municipal taxes were used to build Campus Fidei , they were left with the ecological and sanitary repercussion of building a field over marshland and the loss of mangroves . According to a municipal study , this area was part of three marsh systems essential to local fishermen who rely on the local flora and fauna . Paes is expected to address issues related to the cancellation at Guaratiba . In the meantime , Guaratiba residents want their voices to be heard . Local merchants said all they asked for was to be able to sell their merchandise in Copacabana to make up for losses . Others , just wanted to see Pope Francis . `` This left us with such an emptiness , such sadness , '' said Gabriel Giovannotti , a local business owner . `` If he could only drive by and give us a blessing ... we would be happier , '' he said . Singing priests revive Catholic Church in Brazil . CNN 's Miguel Castro contributed to this report .
Meanwhile , mud deluge Brazilian city of Guaratiba . Officials move events related to papal weekend elsewhere . The change will cause major economic losses in Brazil .