Is Pope Leo stuck in Istanbul? Here’s what really happened

By Tolulope Oke

Is Pope Leo XIV stuck in Turkey? Not exactly, but his trip hit an unexpected challenge on Saturday after urgent safety checks grounded his plane in Istanbul.

The delay came after Airbus flagged a potential software issue affecting A320 aircraft worldwide, forcing technicians to rush in and make sure the pontiff’s flight to Beirut on Sunday, is safe.   The warning followed concerns that solar radiation could interfere with the planes’ computer systems.

According to Daily Mail, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed that ITA Airways flew a technician and a critical component to Istanbul to fix the issue on the Pope’s plane. He said the aircraft would only depart after it is confirmed safe.

The disruption comes weeks after an Airbus A320 operated by JetBlue dropped suddenly in Florida, injuring 15 passengers. Investigations linked the incident to a software vulnerability, prompting the wider safety notice.

Despite the hiccup, Pope Leo continued his engagements in Istanbul. He visited the historic Blue Mosque but did not pray inside it. This contradicted earlier Vatican guidance that said he would observe a moment of silent prayer. The reference was later removed without explanation.

Imam Asgin Tunca, who welcomed the Pope, said he invited him to pray, calling the mosque “Allah’s house,” but the pontiff chose silence instead. The Vatican said he experienced the visit “with deep respect.”

The Airbus alert caused ripple effects across Europe. Airlines, including Wizz Air and EasyJet, warned passengers of possible delays as checks continued. British Airways, Aer Lingus and Jet2 said only a small number of their aircraft were affected.

Pope Leo is expected to leave Istanbul for Beirut on Sunday once technicians clear his aircraft for flight.