Pope Leo XIV's Plane had Technical Difficulties so Spain's King Came to the Rescue and the Pontiff Arrived Safely in Rome


Pope Leo XIV Arrives Safely in Rome after the Spanish King Provides Aircraft for the Return After Technical Delay

TENERIFE — In an unprecedented turn of events, Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican aboard a private aircraft provided by King Felipe VI of Spain, following a technical breakdown of the official papal plane at Tenerife North Airport (Los Rodeos).

The Holy See Press Office confirmed the arrangement via Telegram after an engine issue grounded the scheduled Iberia Airbus A320. The original flight had initiated takeoff procedures around 4:15 p.m. local time, but was forced to abort. The Pope was subsequently escorted to the airport’s VIP lounge by King Felipe VI, who had officially bid him farewell just moments prior. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, and the accompanying papal delegation also disembarked.

Prior to the delay, the official farewell ceremony proceeded as planned. Arriving at 3:45 p.m., the Pope was received by King Felipe VI, local dignitaries, and Church representatives for the national anthems and a review of the Guard of Honour.

The Pope's replacement flight departed just after 6:00 p.m. local time, with an expected arrival in Rome around 11:00 p.m. The remaining Vatican staff and traveling journalists are scheduled to return separately on a later Iberia flight. This unusual event concluded Pope Leo XIV’s fourth international apostolic journey, a weeklong tour spanning Madrid, Barcelona, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and Tenerife.

Pope Leo XIV Returns to Rome on Spanish Royal Jet After Plane Malfunction

  • The Incident: Pope Leo XIV’s weeklong apostolic journey to Spain concluded with an unprecedented technical delay at Tenerife North Airport when his Iberia Airbus A320 suffered an engine issue during takeoff.

  • The Royal Rescue: King Felipe VI of Spain, who was present for the departure, hosted the Pontiff in the VIP lounge before graciously providing a royal aircraft to fly the Pope back to Rome.

  • The Schedule: The Pope's flight departed around 6:00 p.m. local time, heading for an 11:00 p.m. arrival in Rome.

  • The Delegation: While the Pope flew ahead, Vatican staff and accompanying journalists remained behind to catch a separate, later flight arranged by Iberia.

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