Pope Leo XIV is not stranded in Turkey, but his journey took an unexpected twist on Saturday when his plane was grounded in Istanbul for urgent safety inspections.
The delay followed a global safety alert issued by Airbus, warning of a potential software malfunction affecting A320 aircraft. The manufacturer raised concerns that solar radiation could interfere with the aircrafts’ computer systems — a development that prompted airlines and regulators to order immediate technical checks.
According to Daily Mail, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed that ITA Airways swiftly deployed a technician and a crucial replacement component to Istanbul to address the issue on the pontiff’s aircraft. He stressed that the Pope’s flight to Beirut on Sunday would proceed only after experts confirmed that the aircraft was completely safe.
The alert came only weeks after a JetBlue Airbus A320 suddenly dropped altitude in Florida, injuring 15 passengers. Investigators later linked that incident to a software vulnerability, which prompted Airbus to issue the broader safety warning now causing ripple effects across Europe’s aviation network.
Even as the disruption unfolded, Pope Leo continued his official engagements in Istanbul. He visited the historic Blue Mosque, though he did not pray inside — a departure from earlier Vatican guidance stating he would observe a moment of silent prayer. That advisory was later quietly removed without explanation.
Imam Asgin Tunca, who received the Pope, told reporters that he had invited him to pray in the mosque, which he described as “Allah’s house,” but the pontiff chose instead to remain silent. The Vatican stated that he experienced the visit “with deep respect.”
The Airbus advisory forced several European airlines to warn passengers of potential delays as inspections continued. Wizz Air and EasyJet said disruptions were likely, while British Airways, Aer Lingus and Jet2 reported that only a limited number of their aircraft were affected.
Pope Leo is expected to depart Istanbul for Beirut on Sunday once technicians complete the necessary safety checks and clear the aircraft for flight.
