A technical issue with the papal delegation's aircraft at Tenerife North aerodrome led to a modification of the official protocol. Faced with the delay, the Spanish Head of State offered his own Falcon jet to Pope Leo XIV, a gesture that resulted in a postponement of the royal delegation's return to Madrid.
During the four-hour wait, the King required a secure place to rest. Lieutenant General Julio Salom arranged the monarch's transfer to the official residence of General Captaincy in the island's capital, a place both military men know well due to their long-standing friendship since their academy days.
The dinner at General Captaincy spontaneously turned into a tribute to Canarian gastronomy. Emblematic island dishes were selected, sourced from the renowned establishment Casa Tomás in Tegueste.
The menu included 'garbanzas compuestas' as a starter, followed by the house specialty: pork ribs with potatoes and corn ('costillas con papas y piña de millo'). King Felipe VI concluded the meal with a Canarian 'quesillo', the establishment's most popular typical dessert.
Despite jokes and photo montages circulating on social media about the pontiff's visit and local cuisine, Pope Leo XIV did not taste the famous ribs from Casa Tomás. However, King Felipe VI became the gastronomic protagonist of the day due to the Royal Household's change of plans, adding another milestone to the restaurant's culinary prestige.
