Pope Leo XIV Returns to Rome on Spanish King’s Falcon After Plane Fault

On 12‑13 June 2026 a technical defect in an Iberia Airbus A320 forced the aircraft carrying Pope Leon XIV to remain on the ground at Tenerife Norte airport after his week‑long visit to Spain. The problem, reported as a motor‑ignition failure likely caused by strong winds, prevented take‑off and the Pope, his delegation and about 80 journalists were escorted to the VIP lounge.

Spanish King Felipe VI offered his private Falcon jet, and the Pope boarded it for the flight to Rome, departing around 18:00 local time and arriving late evening. The remaining Vatican staff and press were later transferred on a separate replacement Iberia flight from Madrid. The incident cancelled the scheduled press conference that was to address the Pope’s remarks on Lebanon and other matters.

The episode highlighted the close cooperation between the Holy See and the Spanish monarchy, and marked a rare instance of a papal journey being altered by an in‑flight technical issue.