Vatican News: Pope Leo returns to Vatican on aircraft provided by Spanish King

Pope Leo XIV flies back to the Vatican aboard an aircraft provided by King Felipe of Spain following a technical issue that prevented the original plane from departing from Tenerife’s Los Rodeos airport.

Vatican News – link to article

“Pope Leo XIV will return to Rome aboard an aircraft graciously made available by His Majesty the King of Spain. The flight is scheduled to depart at around 6:00 p.m. local time and is expected to arrive in Rome at approximately 11:00 p.m. Rome time.

The Holy See staff and the journalists travelling on the papal flight will return in the coming hours on a separate aircraft provided by IBERIA.”

The statement published by the Holy See Press Office on Telegram came in the wake of a technical problem that prevented the IBERIA plane set to fly the Pope back to Rome from departing.

The plane took off just after 6.00 pm local time.

Unprecedented end to a papal journey

That was how, in an unprecedented development, Pope Leo XIV’s fourth international apostolic journey came to an at Tenerife North Airport (Los Rodeos), concluding the weeklong visit that took him to Madrid, Barcelona, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Tenerife.

The departure was delayed for a considerable time due to a technical problem with the engine of the Iberia Airbus A320. The aircraft began its takeoff procedures at around 4:15 p.m. local time.

Shortly afterwards, however, the boarding stairs were brought back to the aircraft and the Pope was escorted to the airport’s VIP lounge by King Felipe VI, who had bid him farewell only moments earlier. They were soon followed by the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, along with the other cardinals and bishops accompanying the papal delegation, who also disembarked.

The Farewell Ceremony

The Farewell Ceremony had taken place as per schedule. Having arrived at the airport at around 3:45 p.m. local time, Pope Leo XIV was greeted by King Felipe VI of Spain, several local authorities, and representatives of the local Church. Following the playing of the national anthems and the honours paid to the flags, the Pope and the King reviewed the Guard of Honour and then greeted their respective delegations.

Link to various articles on the Pope’s visit to the Canary Islands.

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