EUROPE is fit to burst because of the “unbelievable” number of refugees, an Austrian cardinal has declared.

In a controversial blast, the Archbishop of Vienna Christoph Schoenborn said the migrant influx had gone “beyond our capacities and possibilities”.

3 Archbishop of Vienna Christoph Schoenborn controversially spoke out about Europe's wave of migration Credit: Getty Images

And the 71 year-old – one of the favourites to be the next Pope - questioned German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s open borders approach.

Referring to Ms Merkel’s vow that the country would “manage”, he said Europe has “had to learn”.

Some 2 million people have claimed asylum on the Continent since the start of 2015.

3 The cardinal appeared to take a swipe at Angela Merkel's open door policy Credit: AP:Associated Press

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3 Mr Schoenborn hoped those fleeing from the Middle East could 'return to their homeland again' Credit: Alamy

Mr Schoenborn said more support was needed for nations in Africa and the Middle East in the hope that migrants “could live in their homeland again”.

It’s not the first time the Roman Catholic has made controversial remarks.

In September he warned that Europe faces the biggest threat from Islam since the 17th century.

At the time he was speaking at a festival which celebrated the 1683 victory of the Austrian Habsburg empire over the Ottoman Turks.