Pope Leo XIV received assistance from the King of Spain after a technical failure grounded his chartered return flight to Rome following a weeklong visit.

Leo's Iberia charter, due to take him back to Rome after a weeklong visit to Spain, was grounded by a technical problem Friday, prompting Spain's king to offer his private jet instead. <img alt="In this handout photo provided by Vatican Media, Pope Leo XIV is accompanied by King Felipe VI of Spain as he deplanes after a technical problem at Tenerife Norte-Los Rodeos International Airport in Tenerife, Spain, Friday, June 12, 2026." src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop...