Stormy Delays: Pope Leo's Windy Takeoff Trouble in Tenerife

Pope Leo's return to Rome was delayed due to strong winds in Tenerife. After boarding an Iberia flight, a maintenance issue prompted disembarkation led by King Felipe. The engine problem, likely wind-related, required a plane replacement. Iberia stated a technical issue was the cause of the delay.

Pope Leo's journey back to Rome faced unexpected hurdles on Friday as strong winds in Tenerife prevented his plane from taking off. The flight, operated by Iberia and carrying Vatican staff and journalists, had been preparing for departure when the captain disclosed a maintenance problem.

Initially, Pope Leo boarded the aircraft after a warm send-off from King Felipe and other Spanish dignitaries. However, he was soon escorted back to the terminal by the king following the captain's announcement that the engine could not start, likely due to the adverse windy conditions.

Efforts to reposition the plane to face the wind proved unsuccessful in resolving the issue immediately. Consequently, the airline informed passengers that a replacement aircraft was being dispatched from Madrid to complete the scheduled journey to Rome later that day.