Skip to content

Airbus computer issue affects papal plane during trip to Turkey

The flights for Pope Leo XIV's first apostolic journey are taking place aboard an ITA Airways Airbus A320neo, one of thousands of Airbus planes affected by a computer issue, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News.
The flights for Pope Leo XIV's first apostolic journey are taking place aboard an ITA Airways Airbus A320neo, one of thousands of Airbus planes affected by a computer issue, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News.

The papal plane set to fly Pope Leo XIV from Turkey to Lebanon on Sunday is one of thousands of Airbus A320 aircraft affected by a computer issue.

Around 6,000 Airbus planes were grounded this weekend after it was discovered that intense solar radiation could interfere with onboard flight control computers, according to the BBC.

For most of the affected aircraft, the issue could be resolved with a software update, but around 900 planes, including the papal plane, needed onboard computers physically replaced.

According to Director of the Holy See Press Office Matteo Bruni, a plane arrived in Istanbul from Rome on Saturday with a technician and the replacement computer for Pope Leo’s ITA Airways A320neo. 

Leo is scheduled to take a two-hour flight from Istanbul to Beirut around midday on Nov. 30 for the second leg of his apostolic journey to Turkey and Lebanon.

A technician from Rome made the necessary intervention and Bruni informed the local media pool on the ground in Turkey, “They have finished the work on the airplane.”

Follow all EWTN News coverage of Pope Leo’s First Apostolic Trip here.

This CNA article has been updated and adapted by EWTN Vatican

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp

Hannah Brockhaus

Hannah Brockhaus is Catholic News Agency’s senior correspondent in Rome. She grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and has a degree in English from Truman State University in Missouri.

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

Pope Francis: Pray that the Gospel can be freely shared in China

Pope Francis asked Catholics Wednesday to pray that the Gospel can be fully and freely shared in China.

Meet 7 of the best-known saints canonized by Pope Benedict XVI

During his pontificate, Pope Benedict XVI beatified 870 people and canonized a total of 45 saints. Though his

Pope Francis reads speeches unassisted for the first time in nearly two weeks

Pope Francis had seven meetings Thursday morning where he read out three speeches unassisted for the first time

EXPLAINER: What is the Shroud of Turin?

The Shroud of Turin is one of the most studied and controversial religious artifacts in the world.

Polish Bishop at Synod: Practice Can Vary but Doctrine has to be the ‘Same for Everyone’

A Polish archbishop said Thursday one difficulty of synodality lies in distinguishing pastoral practice — which can be adapted to different cultural circumstances — from Church doctrine.

Global Prayers for Pope Francis: Faithful Unite for His Recovery

Thousands gathered this week in St. Peter’s Square to join the cardinals resident in Rome in their Rosary for Pope Francis.

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com