Diplomacy · San Cristóbal de La Laguna and Rome
Pope Leon XIV’s return flight hit by Iberia A320 fault; King Felipe VI offers his Falcon jet
A technical issue with an Iberia A320 delayed Pope Leon XIV’s departure from Tenerife on Friday. King Felipe VI intervened, and the pontiff flew to Rome on the monarch’s Dassault Falcon.
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In brief
An Iberia A320 on the Tenerife–Rome route could not start its engine, likely due to wind; repositioning did not help.
King Felipe VI, who had already said farewell, returned to the plane, accompanied the Pope off the aircraft, and offered his personal Falcon jet.
The Pope left on the king’s Dassault Falcon shortly after 18:00 local time, reaching Rome around 23:00.
- 12 JunIberia announces fault cannot be repaired immediately; a replacement will come from Madrid.
- 12 JunVatican announces Pope will depart on King’s Falcon around 18:00 local time. Falcon takes off.
- 12 JunPope’s plane arrives in Rome.
A papal journey concludes
Pope Leon XIV finished a seven-day visit to Spain on Friday, 12 June 2026. The last stop was Tenerife, the first time a pontiff had visited the Canary Islands. At the port of Santa Cruz he thanked hosts for their warmth and urged the faithful to "lift up your eyes" to Christ.
“Let us direct our gaze to Christ Crucified. His Heart is the source of mercy, which alone can save a humanity in need of forgiveness and reconciliation to achieve true and lasting peace. Let us lift up our eyes, as Mary did, Mother of all who suffer. Led by her, let us take this journey with hope.”
Unexpected farewell and technical fault
Instead of Queen Sofia, it was King Felipe VI who bid the Pope farewell at Tenerife Norte-Los Rodeos airport — a surprise because the queen mother had been expected. After a 25-minute private meeting, the Pope boarded an Iberia A320. But before departure the captain reported a technical fault: the engine would not start, possibly due to wind. The aircraft was repositioned but the problem persisted.
“The engine didn’t want to start, probably because of the wind.”
King’s intervention
While the journalists waited on board, the king, who had just left, walked back to the plane. Pope Leon XIV left the aircraft with the monarch and they returned to the terminal. Iberia then announced that the fault could not be fixed immediately and a replacement would come from Madrid. King Felipe VI offered his own Falcon jet.
“Leon XIV will return to Rome on the King of Spain’s Falcon, offered by the monarch. The plane will depart around 6 p.m. local time. Staff and journalists will return in the coming hours on another plane.”
Separate journeys
The Pope’s Falcon took off after 18:00 local time and arrived in Rome around 23:00. The papal entourage and the press corps remained on Tenerife, later flying back on an Iberia replacement. The unusual incident underscored the close ties between the Spanish Crown and the Holy See.
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Sources and context
- Places
- San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Rome
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