Pope borrows King of Spain's jet to return to Vatican after technical issue
The delay followed an engine startup failure that forced passengers off the Iberia jet before Spain’s king offered his private aircraft, officials said.
- On Friday, Pope Leo's return flight to Rome was unexpectedly delayed after his aircraft developed a technical issue, forcing him to disembark following his week-long tour of Spain.
- Leo's June 6-12 visit spanned Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands, where he focused on ministering to migrants arriving from Africa, fulfilling a wish of Pope Francis.
- Iberia maintenance specialists are investigating a technical problem after the captain suggested that strong winds might have prevented the engine from starting on the aircraft.
- After waving off the Pope and Spanish dignitaries, King Felipe personally escorted the Pope back into the airport terminal following the aircraft's grounding.
- With no further details from Iberia, the Pope awaits return to the Vatican after the technical incident delayed his departure.
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114 Articles
The plane that was to take him back to Rome on Friday suffered a technical problem forcing the pope to delay his departure and fly aboard a Falcon made available by King Felipe VI.
Pope Leo’s plane grounded, so Spain’s king gives him a ride
Even popes have travel delays. Lucky for Pope Leo, King Felipe VI offered a way out, and a way home. Leo’s Iberia charter, due to take him back to Rome after a week-long visit to Spain, was grounded by a technical problem Friday, prompting Spain’s king to offer his private jet instead. Felipe escorted Leo to his Falcon on the tarmac at the airport in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in the Canary Islands. Leo and members of his delegation boarded the pla…
Spain has solved in less than two hours a problem of high flights.The papal plane has not managed to take off because of a breakdown, and the King of Spain has taken care of the problem and has offered Leon XIV his Falcon so that he could return to the Eternal City.At first it seemed to be a simple delay, which has been normal on this trip because practically all the papal events have been prolonged more than expected.That has caused that while …
In Tenerife, the Pope has to leave his Iberia machine because of an engine problem. The return flight to Rome is thus on the tip. The Spanish monarch Felipe helps out without delay.
Spanish King Felipe came to Pope Leo XIV's aid when the latter was unable to fly home due to aircraft trouble. The Pope had just visited Spain and the Spanish Canary Islands and was due to return to Rome on an Iberia flight.
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