Pope Leo departs Tenerife for Rome using King Felipe's private jet after technical failure

Pope Leo concluded his apostolic visit to Spain after celebrating a mass for approximately 35,000 people at the port of Tenerife. His scheduled return flight to Rome on an Iberia aircraft was delayed due to a technical failure detected while the plane was on the runway. King Felipe of Spain, who had bid farewell to the Pope, intervened by offering his private Falcon aircraft to facilitate the departure. The Pope, along with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and high-ranking clergy, successfully departed for Rome using the provided jet. It is expected they will arrive in Rome around 11:00 PM local time. Meanwhile, the journalists accompanying the Pope remain in Tenerife and are scheduled to depart later on an Iberia plane. This technical incident caused the cancellation of the traditional in-flight press conference usually held during the Pope's return trips. The Pope expressed his gratitude for the assistance provided by the Spanish monarch.