Unusual samba tribute to Pope Francis

The Ara Yevi samba school performs with a float showcasing Pope Francis. Photo / AP

A samba school has organised an unusual show to honour Pope Francis during the opening of a hugely popular carnival in Argentina.

The troupe Ara Yevi combined characters dressed as the pope or angels with scantily clad female dancers in its homage to the Argentine-born pontiff when the carnival opened Saturday in Gualeguaychu, about 230km northwest of Buenos Aires.

View a gallery of images from the carnival here.

The 300-member Ara Yevi group is performing with two other schools during the carnival through to February 28.

Some 400,000 visitors are expected.

Four floats represent different aspects of the pope's background: his arrival at the Vatican, his love of soccer, the tango, and his earlier work in shantytowns.

On one float, a huge dove of peace looms above the pope and world.

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- AP