King escorts Pope Leo back after failed take-off forces disembarkation

Pope Leo had to delay his return ‌to Rome on Friday at the end of a week-long tour of Spain after his plane could not take off because of ​strong winds.

According to Reuters news agency, the plane carrying Leo, Vatican staff and ​journalists was preparing to taxi to the runway ⁠north of Tenerife island when the captain announced ​that it had a maintenance problem.

Leo, who had already ​boarded his flight operated by carrier Iberia after being waved off by King Felipe and other Spanish dignitaries, was then escorted ​off the aircraft by the king back to the ​terminal.

In further announcements after Leo had left the plane, the captain ‌said ⁠the engine had probably been unable to start because of the wind. He said the plane would be towed so it faced the wind and they ​would try starting ​the engine ⁠again.

He later said the issue could not be resolved immediately and the rest ​of the passengers were told they should ​disembark.

Iberia ⁠said in a statement that the plane had experienced an unspecified technical issue and that a replacement plane ⁠was ​being sent from Madrid that would ​make the journey to Rome on Friday.