Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Popemobile arrives in Beirut ahead of papal visit

Benedict XVI's "popemobile" has arrived in Beirut - evidence that the Vatican is not planning to cancel the pope's September visit to Lebanon despite the violence in Syria.

"The vehicle arrived at Beirut port and is now at the Lebanese presidential palace," a source at the president's office told dpa Wednesday.

There have been growing concerns that the pope's September 14-16 visit may no longer go ahead because of the escalating tension across the border.

However, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi this week confirmed the original schedule.