Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Lebanon next month will go ahead as scheduled, the Vatican said on Monday, despite tensions in the country linked to the raging conflict in Syria. "The preparations for the visit are going ahead without any uncertainty on the part of the Vatican," Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told reporters. Lombardi cited as evidence the September 14-16 trip would go ahead the fact that the pope’s special car – the "popemobile" – was on its way to Beirut. The growing political tensions in Lebanon led to speculation last week that the trip may be canceled. [Link]