Posters of Pope Francis and Argentine leader Cristina Fernandez cause uproar

A POSTER of Pope Francis greeting the Argentine president has caused uproar among opposition leaders, who claim it is an tactless attempt at gaining votes for the ruling party.

Argentina's opposition has slammed the appearance the of posters scattered around Buenos Aires that feature Pope Francis greeting President Cristina Fernandez and a key political ally.

Fernandez and Martin Insaurralde, the mayor of a Buenos Aires suburb and a candidate in the upcoming legislative primaries, briefly met the pope in Brazil at the close of World Youth Day.

At the foot of the photograph are the words: "Don't be discouraged, don't let the hope be turned off. Pope Francis."

The poster was produced by Equipos de Difusion, a marketing company linked to the government.

Opposition lawmakers are accusing the ruling party of using the pontiff for electoral gains.

Deputy Francisco De Narvaez said Thursday that the posters offended him. "They are capable of anything, inside or outside of the law."