Pope Leo XIV experienced an unprecedented situation during his return flight from Tenerife to Rome. Moments before takeoff, the aircraft stairs returned to the plane and the pontiff disembarked. The Vatican confirmed a technical problem. Eventually, the pope returned to the Vatican aboard a plane provided by King Felipe VI of Spain.
Journalists from ten countries, including Poland, were already on board the Airbus A320 operated by Iberia, preparing for the traditional onboard press conference that concludes papal trips. The flight was the final leg of an intense seven-day visit to Spain, which included the pope’s historic first visit to the Canary Islands.
According to protocol, media representatives board the papal aircraft well before departure to observe the farewell ceremony. Cameras were being set up, cables connected, and microphones tested. The press conference was expected to cover global current affairs and politics. A surprise element was the presence of King Felipe VI at the farewell – earlier reports had indicated Queen Sofia would perform the duty.
A sudden turn of events
After a ceremonial farewell, the pope boarded the plane. The captain welcomed the pope and the delegation over the intercom. Just as the aircraft began taxiing toward the runway, the stairs unexpectedly returned to the plane. To the astonishment of the journalists, King Felipe VI walked toward the aircraft, and the pope disembarked. Both re-entered the airport terminal, where they had earlier held a private meeting.
The captain informed passengers: – We have encountered a technical problem. The crew will attempt to resolve it as quickly as possible. – informed the captain of the aircraft. Reporters on board began broadcasting the unusual development, highlighting that this was the first time a pope had left a plane moments before takeoff.
After several dozen minutes of waiting, the pilot explained that the issue was related to wind – it prevented one engine from starting. The plan was to reposition the aircraft. However, a subsequent announcement confirmed that the fault could not be fixed immediately. A decision was made for everyone to disembark.
Royal intervention and a long wait
As the media representatives left the plane, the Vatican informed them that Pope Leo XIV would return to Rome aboard a plane provided by the Spanish king. Vatican staff would follow on a separate Iberia aircraft sent from Madrid. On the tarmac, journalists watched the royal plane take off with the pope and his closest aides on board. King Felipe VI again bid farewell to the pontiff and then greeted the journalists, photographers and camera operators.
Journalists waited over four hours for the replacement plane from Madrid. They departed Tenerife just as the pope landed at Rome’s Fiumicino airport. The papal plane – this time without the pope – eventually touched down in Rome around 3 a.m. On board were some papal aides, church dignitaries, Vatican personnel, and security including Swiss Guards.
Źródło: Polsat News, Fot. Polsat News
