Juan Enrique has never quite flown a mission for the Spanish Air Force like this one.
On June 9, 2026, the sky over Madrid was clear, a pale blue that stretched endlessly as his fighter jet cut through the air with precision. Below him, the Spanish countryside unfolded and just beside him, steady and dignified, flew the Iberia aircraft carrying Pope Leo XIV from Madrid to Barcelona.
As they flew over Spain, the Holy Father stepped into the cockpit to greet the crew. One of the pilots showed him photos of Juan and explained that, beyond serving as a Spanish Air Force pilot, he was also a father and a Catholic—keenly aware he was escorting the successor of Saint Peter across his homeland.
The moment quickly turned personal.
Pope Leo XIV, visibly delighted, waved toward Juan’s jet. From his fighter jet, Juan captured a photo of the papal plane and its crew. Then, over the radio, the pope reached for the boom microphone and spoke directly to him.
“It is a pleasure and a blessing to meet you,” Pope Leo said. “Thank you for everything. It is a great honor.”