The King of Spain came to Pope Leo's rescue after his plane experienced technical difficulties.

The Pope was on board an Iberia charter flight at Tenerife Norte–Ciudad de La Laguna Airport waiting to take-off when the captain explained the situation. A few minutes later, the King of Spain Felipe VI, who had just bid farewell to the pontiff, boarded the plane to invite him to disembark and wait in the VIP lounge for the problem to be resolved.

In an announcement after Leo had left the plane, the captain said the engine had probably been unable to start because of the wind.

King Felipe then provided a Falcon 900B Spanish Air Force plane to take the Pope back to Rome. The Holy See staff and journalists accompanying the Pope were set to return on another plane provided by Iberia.

Leo was returning to the Vatican after his week-long apostolic visit to Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands.