“Thank you so much for saving us.” Those were Pope Leo XIV’s words of gratitude to the crew of the Falcon jet that brought him back to Rome on Friday, June 12, after damage to the Iberia aircraft forced a change of plans. The Spanish Air and Space Force posted on X that “the words of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to the crew of the Falcon of Wing 45 are a recognition of the professionalism, dedication and vocation of service of those who work every day for Spain.”
It was King Felipe VI who, upon seeing the problem with the Pope’s plane, boarded the Iberia aircraft to invite him to disembark and wait while the “technical incident” was resolved, as the captain on board explained. When it was confirmed the plane could not be repaired in time, the Spanish monarch offered the Holy Father a ride back to Rome aboard the Falcon jet of Wing 45, used to transport state authorities and the Royal Family. The Falcon took off from Tenerife at 18:08 local time and landed at Rome-Fiumicino International Airport Leonardo da Vinci at 23:05.
“Upon returning to Rome after concluding my apostolic journey, I wish to express once again my gratitude to His Majesty, the authorities and the people of Spain for the warm welcome and generous hospitality they extended to me during this visit,” Pope Leo XIV wrote in a telegram sent to the King of Spain.“Assuring you and all Spaniards of my continued prayers for the peace and unity of the nation,” he added, “I cordially invoke upon each of you an abundance of divine blessings.”