Pope Leo XIV's Tenerife return delayed by aircraft fault, King Felipe VI assists

Pope Leo XIV's return flight from his week‑long visit to Spain was halted on Tenerife after a technical problem with the Iberia aircraft's engine prevented take‑off. The delay, initially expected to keep the pontiff on the ground into the night, prompted King Felipe VI, who had formally seen the Pope off earlier, to accompany him to the airport’s VIP lounge and offer his own Falcon jet while a replacement aircraft was arranged from Madrid.

The Pope, who had earlier condemned migrant smuggling and warned against the commercialization of the islands, remained on the island with his delegation as officials worked to resolve the issue. No further details about the exact nature of the fault were disclosed, and the timeline for the resumed journey to Rome remained uncertain.