Cristina Kirchner on the election of Pope Leo XIV: "I don't believe in coincidences."

Former Vice PresidentCristina Kirchner spoke publicly about the recent election of Pope Leo XIV . In a message posted on her social media, the president of the Justicialist Party expressed her excitement at the coincidence of the new pontiff's inauguration and the Feast of the Virgin of Luján , patron saint of Argentina and her hometown, Río Gallegos .

“It goes without saying that I don’t believe in coincidences; and today, once again, I confirm it,” he wrote as an introduction to his post. Cristina Kirchner also praised the opening message of Leo XIV , who fondly recalled Pope Francis , spoke in Spanish, and prayed for world peace. “He adopted the name Leo XIV,” she emphasized, establishing a symbolic link with Leo XIII , whom she described as “the Pope of work… Father of the social doctrine of the Church, beginning with his wonderful encyclical Rerum Novarum.”

In this way, the former president celebrated both the doctrinal legacy and the social approach that characterize the new pope, whose profile seems aligned with the most sensitive causes of Christian and Latin American social thought. "As I said... I don't believe in coincidences," Cristina insisted in her reflection.

In addition to the former president, other Kirchnerist leaders expressed their support for the new Vatican leadership. One of them was Nicolás Kreplak , Minister of Health for the Province of Buenos Aires , who praised the social focus of the new pontiff, who is American-born and has a long history in Peru .

"We hope that his papacy will continue the legacy of Pope Francis," Kreplak said. In that sense, he emphasized that Francis spoke of public health as "a fundamental right that must serve all," particularly the most vulnerable sectors, and not be subordinated to economic interests.

The Buenos Aires official also praised the opening remarks of Leo XIV , whom he described as a leader with a desire to "build bridges, dialogue, encounter, and an open and synodal Church, close to those who suffer." For Kreplak , this profile is key in a global context where, in his view, "not everything is equal."

Another leader who joined the messages following the election of the new pope was Sergio Massa . The former presidential candidate and leader of the Renewal Front compared Leo XIV to Leo XIII , remembered for having laid the foundations of the Church 's social doctrine.

“Robert Prevost inherited the legacy of Leo XIII: he understood that the rich and the poor do not play on the same playing field and that the State must play a fundamental role in defending the most vulnerable,” Massa said. He also emphasized that Leo XIV , “a Latin American by choice,” began his pontificate speaking in Spanish to the faithful in Peru , where he lived for more than 25 years as a missionary.

“Pope Leo XIV is a disciple of Francis and heir to his trust,” Massa concluded. “We celebrate his commitment to continuing to build a humble Church, close to the people and at the service of those most in need.”