Full Breakdown
Pope Leo XIV’s Return to Rome Delayed by Technical Glitch; Spanish King Provides Private Jet
6/12/2026, 11:34:49 PM
Delayed Departure in Tenerife
On 12 June 2026, Pope Leo XIV’s Iberia charter from Tenerife failed to start its engine, forcing all aboard—including about 70 journalists—to disembark. King Felipe VI escorted the pontiff to the terminal and offered his Falcon jet, which departed around 6 p.m. and arrived in Rome near 11 p.m. Reported delays vary from “more than three hours” (AP) to “half an hour” (Euronews). The engine-startup failure was attributed to wind conditions.
Context and Key Participants
Papal trips normally use an ITA Airways charter to the host country and the host’s national carrier for the return. The Tenerife incident was the first serious aircraft problem for a pope in decades, recalling wind-related diversions during Pope John Paul II’s 1986 and 1988 trips. The principal actors were Pope Leo XIV, King Felipe VI, Iberia (operator of the grounded flight), the Spanish Air Force (provider of the Falcon jet and escort), and the flight’s captain and pilot who reported the engine issue. During the visit, Pope Leo XIV emphasized his migration message and inaugurated the new tower of the Sagrada Família basilica in Barcelona, highlighting the diplomatic and symbolic importance of the state trip.
Official Statements & Responses
The Spanish government confirmed the king’s jet would carry the Pope and part of his delegation. Iberia said the aircraft suffered an “unspecified technical issue” and a replacement was en route from Madrid. The Holy See Press Office announced the Pope would return on the king’s aircraft. The pilot suggested towing the plane into the wind for a restart. Spanish military aircraft also provided an airborne escort, a customary sign of respect for visiting dignitaries.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the cause: some attribute the failure to wind-induced engine startup problems, while others describe an “unspecified technical issue.” Reported delay lengths also vary between “more than three hours” and “half an hour.” The discrepancy in delay estimates reflects differing on-site assessments, and no official technical report has been published.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Pope Leo XIV will return to Rome aboard an aircraft graciously made available by His Majesty the King of Spain,” — Holy See Press Office
- “Our maintenance team suggests towing the aircraft, positioning it into the wind, and attempting a new engine start,” — Pilot
- “In announcements made after the pope had disembarked, the captain said the engine had likely failed to start because of the wind.” — Captain
- “Iberia said in a statement that the plane had experienced an unspecified technical issue and that a replacement plane was being sent from Madrid that would complete the journey to Rome on Friday.” — Iberia statement
What’s Next
Pope Leo XIV landed in Rome later on 12 June, while the remaining delegation and journalists continued on the Iberia replacement aircraft. The episode underscores the close coordination between the Vatican and the Spanish Crown in ensuring the pontiff’s safe travel.
