Pope Francis on Monday urged European governments to keep welcoming migrants, despite concerns over security and terrorism which he said were threatening Europe's status as a "beacon for humanity".

Speaking in the aftermath of the mass sexual assaults in Cologne, the pontiff said: "The present wave of migration seems to be undermining the foundations of that 'humanistic spirit' which Europe has always loved and defended."

But he added: "Yet there should be no loss of the values and principles of humanity, respect for the dignity of every person... however much they may prove, in some moments of history, a burden difficult to bear."