Pope Leo XIV's flight home from Spain was grounded so the king came to his aid

Pope Leo XIV's flight home from Spain was grounded due to a technical issue, prompting King Felipe VI to offer his private jet as an alternative. The Iberia charter’s engine would not start after Leo boarded, and the pope, delegation, and journalists were escorted to a Falcon on the Santa Cruz de Tenerife tarmac, taking off more than three hours later than planned. Leo had been on a week-long visit to Spain, including Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands, and had inaugurated a tower at the Sagrada Familia. Iberia said it would send another plane from Madrid to fetch those not on the grounded flight, while Vatican reports noted that papal travel is typically supported by ITA Airways for arrivals and by the host carrier for the return leg. Video footage showed Leo in the cockpit with the escort pilots as the mission proceeded.