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 Leo XIV and the Challenge of AI

Why is Pope Leo stressing this issue so prominently at the very beginning of his pontificate — and what can we conclude about the approach he intends to take in addressing it?

Pope Francis Relieves Bishop Joseph Strickland of His Duties

Pope Francis has removed Bishop Joseph Strickland from his position as the head of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas

Pope Leo XIV condemns violence in Iran, Syria, and Ukraine

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday lamented escalating violence in Iran and Syria and renewed his appeal for peace

Australian Catholic University Opens New Campus in Rome

The Australian Catholic University has opened a new campus in Rome. The university is located two miles from

As Holy Door Closes, ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ Reflect on How the Jubilee Year Opened Hearts

As one pilgrim told the Register: ‘Hope takes on a radiant strength when thousands carry it together.’ As

Pope Leo XIV’s connection to Spanish Civil War martyrs, Valley of the Fallen

Pope Leo XIV carries on his pectoral cross, among others, a relic of an Augustinian martyr bishop, Anselmo Polanco, who was executed during the 1936–1939 Spanish Civil War.

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com