In a photograph shared by Vatican Media, Pope Leo XIV was seen with King Felipe VI of Spain at Tenerife Norte-Los Rodeos International Airport. The Pope experienced a travel delay due to a technical issue with his charter flight on Friday, June 12, 2026. Luckily, King Felipe VI provided his private jet to assist the Pope in continuing his journey.
Pope Leo’s Iberia charter flight, scheduled to return him to Rome after a weeklong visit to Spain, encountered a technical problem. This led to King Felipe VI offering his Falcon jet, enabling the Pope to leave more than three hours after his original departure time. The incident concluded a successful visit to locations including Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands, where the Pope focused on migration issues and inaugurated the new tower of the Sagrada Familia basilica.
The Iberia pilot reported an engine failure after boarding, which required all passengers to disembark. Iberia then arranged for another plane from Madrid to collect the Vatican officials and journalists left behind.
This event marked the first significant papal flight issue in decades. During the late St. John Paul II’s papacy, a similar situation occurred, such as in 1986 when his plane was diverted to Naples due to snow in Rome. In 1988, inclement weather forced a landing in South Africa during a trip intended to avoid the country due to apartheid.
Normally, ITA Airways, the Italian national carrier, brings the Pope to his destination, and the host country’s carrier brings him back. On certain occasions, ITA handles both legs, ensuring efficiency. On Leo XIV’s journey from Madrid to Barcelona and then to the Canary Islands, Iberia captured video of him cheerfully seated in the cockpit. His flights received an airborne escort from Spanish military aircraft, honoring the visiting dignitary.