Pope Leo had to delay his return to Rome at the end ‌of a week-long tour ​of Spain after his plane experienced a technical issue on Friday.

The ⁠plane carrying Pope Leo, Vatican staff, ​and journalists was preparing to taxi to the ⁠runway 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 plane by the king back to the airport.

An Iberia ⁠spokesperson said maintenance ‌specialists were checking ⁠a technical problem, without providing further details.

In ⁠a ⁠second announcement 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.

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; writing by Charlie Devereux; Editing ‌by Sanjeev Miglani)