Even popes encounter travel delays. Pope Leo XIV experienced one during his recent visit to Spain. Fortunately, King Felipe VI came to his aid by offering the use of his private jet.
Pope Leo’s charter with Iberia was meant to return him to Rome after a week in Spain. However, a technical glitch grounded the flight on Friday. As a solution, Spain’s king offered his private Falcon jet to ensure Leo could depart without further delay.
On the tarmac at Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s airport in the Canary Islands, King Felipe accompanied Pope Leo to the aircraft. Leo and his delegation boarded the jet, departing three hours past the initial time scheduled for departure.
The setback concluded what had otherwise been a successful visit to Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands. During his trip, Pope Leo addressed migration issues and inaugurated the new tower of the Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona.
The failure to start the engine after Leo had boarded caused the disembarkation of all passengers. Iberia announced that another plane would be sent from Madrid to collect the Vatican officials and journalists not traveling with Leo.
The experience was notable because it was the first significant mechanical issue on a papal flight in years, necessitating a change of aircraft for the pope. The Canary Islands, positioned closer to Africa than mainland Spain, also added logistical elements to the change.
Veteran Vatican reporters present on the Iberia plane reflected on past incidents from Pope John Paul II’s time. In 1986, a snowstorm rerouted a return flight from India, causing John Paul to travel by train from Naples to Rome. Additionally, in 1988, adverse weather forced a diversion to South Africa during a planned visit to Lesotho.
Papal trips traditionally feature ITA Airways piloting the pope to his destination. The hosting country’s carrier generally returns him home, though ITA sometimes manages both legs for longer itineraries.
Iberia earlier released footage of Pope Leo in the cockpit during the trip, smiling joyfully while traversing from Madrid to Barcelona and then onward to the Canary Islands. Spanish military aircraft escorted him, signifying honor for the visiting leader. A video also captured Leo waving at the escorting pilot.