POPE Francis has appointed a new bishop to a Scottish diocese.

Father William Nolan, 60, will become the new Bishop of Galloway, taking over from Bishop John Cunningham, who has held the post since 2004.

The bishop-elect has been parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes in East Kilbride for 20 years and vicar general of the diocese of Motherwell.

Nolan said he was overawed to be appointed to the new role and wanted "to help the faith flourish in the land where Ninian planted the seeds of faith so long ago". Cunningham welcomed the appointment.