A samba school has organized an unusual show to honor 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 230 kilometers (about 140 miles) northwest of Buenos Aires.

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

View the Argentina Pope Carnival collection

Opening text from AP news story, AP PHOTOS: Argentina samba school pays tribute to pope.

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