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The Latest: Pope: Migration a challenge, not a danger

MADRID (AP) - The Latest on migrants and refugees entering Europe (all times local):

11:40 a.m.

Pope Francis says the phenomenon of migration doesn't pose a danger to Europe's culture but rather a challenge for societies to grow.

Francis made the comments during a visit Friday to the Roma Tre university. There, he was reunited with Nour Essa, one of the Syrian refugees whom Francis brought back with him after visiting Lesbos, Greece, last year. Since then, Essa has won a government scholarship at Roma Tre to finish her biology studies.

Essa asked Francis about fears that Syrians and Iraqi migrants threaten Europe's Christian culture.

Francis responded by noting that his native Argentina is a country of immigrants and that ending wars and poverty would trim migration flows.

He said: "Migration isn't a danger, it's a challenge to grow," and the key is integrating new migrants.

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8:45 a.m.

The local Red Cross says an emergency team is assisting more than 300 migrants who crossed the fence surrounding Spain's enclave of Ceuta in North Africa early Friday.

Spain's Civil Guard said that a surveillance camera registered how more than 500 people approached the fence with tools and clubs that they used to break one of the gates.

Around 300 of them managed to enter Spanish soil, said a spokesman with the force who asked not to be identified in line with internal protocol. Two agents were injured and are being treated at a local hospital, he said.

Hundreds of sub-Saharan African migrants living illegally in Morocco try to enter Ceuta and Melilla, Spain's other North African enclave, each year in hope of getting to Europe.

Pope Francis speaks at the Roma Tre University during a visit in Rome, Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. Pope Francis answered to questions asked by some of the about 40 thousand students attending the Roma Tre University, during his first visit to a state owned university in Rome. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) The Associated Press
Pope Francis arrives at the Roma Tre University in Rome, Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) The Associated Press
Migrants pray on a street after storming a fence to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Spain, Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. An emergency team in Ceuta is assisting more than 300 migrants who crossed the fence surrounding Spain's enclave in North Africa early Friday, a spokesman for the local Red Cross said. Spain's Civil Guard said that a surveillance camera registered how more than 500 people approached the fence with tools and clubs that they used for breaking one of the gates. (AP Photo/Jesus Moron) The Associated Press
Migrants sit on the ground next to Spanish police officers after storming a fence to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Spain, Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. An emergency team in Ceuta is assisting more than 300 migrants who crossed the fence surrounding Spain's enclave in North Africa early Friday, a spokesman for the local Red Cross said. (AP Photo/Jesus Moron) The Associated Press
Migrants sit on the ground after storming a fence to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Spain, Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. An emergency team in Ceuta is assisting more than 300 migrants who crossed the fence surrounding Spain's enclave in North Africa early Friday, a spokesman for the local Red Cross said. Spain's Civil Guard said that a surveillance camera registered how more than 500 people approached the fence with tools and clubs that they used for breaking one of the gates. (AP Photo/Jesus Moron) The Associated Press
Migrants sit on the ground after storming a fence to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Spain, Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. An emergency team in Ceuta is assisting more than 300 migrants who crossed the fence surrounding Spain's enclave in North Africa early Friday, a spokesman for the local Red Cross said. Spain's Civil Guard said that a surveillance camera registered how more than 500 people approached the fence with tools and clubs that they used for breaking one of the gates. (AP Photo/Jesus Moron) The Associated Press
Migrants react after storming a fence to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Spain, Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. An emergency team in Ceuta is assisting more than 300 migrants who crossed the fence surrounding Spain's enclave in North Africa early Friday, a spokesman for the local Red Cross said. Spain's Civil Guard said that a surveillance camera registered how more than 500 people approached the fence with tools and clubs that they used for breaking one of the gates. (AP Photo/Jesus Moron) The Associated Press
A man shows the injures on his hand as he sits on the ground after storming a fence to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Spain, Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. An emergency team in Ceuta is assisting more than 300 migrants who crossed the fence surrounding Spain's enclave in North Africa early Friday, a spokesman for the local Red Cross said. Spain's Civil Guard said that a surveillance camera registered how more than 500 people approached the fence with tools and clubs that they used for breaking one of the gates. (AP Photo/Jesus Moron) The Associated Press
Migrants sit on the ground after storming a fence to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Spain, Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. An emergency team in Ceuta is assisting more than 300 migrants who crossed the fence surrounding Spain's enclave in North Africa early Friday, a spokesman for the local Red Cross said. Spain's Civil Guard said that a surveillance camera registered how more than 500 people approached the fence with tools and clubs that they used for breaking one of the gates. (AP Photo/Jesus Moron) The Associated Press
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