Pope Leo XIV’s Pilot Shares Details of the Pope's Time in the Cockpit in "Unforgettable" Flight to Barcelona - VIDEO


Pope Leo XIV’s Pilot Shares Details of "Unforgettable" Flight to Barcelona

During his flight to Barcelona via Iberia Airlines, Pope Leo XIV surprised the crew by spending part of the 55-minute journey inside the cockpit. Commander Pablo Martínez Núñez shared details of the unique experience during an interview on the Spanish radio show Mediodía COPE.

Key Highlights of the Flight:

  • Cockpit Guest: Invited by the captain, the Pope stood in the cockpit to witness the takeoff and watch an Air Force F-18 fighter jet escorting the flight. The fighter pilot, head of the 151st Squadron from Zaragoza, flew close to offer a formal aerial greeting.

  • A Curious Passenger: Far from just observing, the Pope—who has a background in science and mathematics—showed a deep interest in the technical side of aviation. He asked several questions about the flight mechanics, the aircraft's approach route, and the regions they were passing over.

  • A View from Above: As the plane approached its destination, the Pope was able to view Barcelona's iconic Sagrada Família Basilica from the air.

  • A Personal Touch: To thank the crew, Pope Leo XIV signed and dedicated family photographs for Captain Martínez Núñez, his co-pilot Ángeles, and the escorting F-18 pilot.

Captain Martínez Núñez, a veteran pilot with 26 years of experience at Iberia, called it "without a doubt, the most special flight" of his career, adding that the crew was deeply moved by the Pope's warmth and common sense.

This flight marks the beginning of a broader apostolic journey for Pope Leo XIV, which will also take him across the Iberian Peninsula and to the Canary Islands.

Source: https://www.cope.es/programas/mediodia-cope/noticias/piloto-papa-desvela-faceta-curiosa-leon-xiv-vuelo-barcelona-20260609_3380845.html

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