POPE Francis has praised the work of one of Scotland's leading aid charities as it marks its 50th anniversary this year.

In a written blessing, Pope Francis thanked the life-changing work of the international development charity SCIAF for its service to the poor in developing countries, urging it to continue its work in the coming years.

Noting the last 50 years of aid work by SCIAF, the blessing called on the charity to "continue in this significant work of love and support in the years to come," with Pope Francis giving all members of the charity and their families and loved ones a special Apostolic Blessing.

In his blessing the Pontiff said: "We Christians are called to confront the poverty of our brothers and sisters; to touch it, to make it our own and take practical steps to alleviate it.

"Our efforts are also directed to ending violations of human dignity, discrimination and abuse in the world, for these are so often the cause of destitution in the world."

SCIAF, the official international aid and development charity of the Catholic Church in Scotland, started in a classroom in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, in 1965 with just £8000.

It now works with people in 15 of the poorest countries in the world, giving emergency aid and practical long term help to people affected by hunger, poverty, war and natural disasters, regardless of religious belief.

In Scotland, the charity works with parishes, schools and and the general public in campaigns to tackle the causes of global poverty and injustice.

SCIAF's director Alistair Dutton said: "Pope Francis is a huge inspiration to SCIAF and me personally, particularly, his emphasis on mercy and compassion, and his call for us to serve those who are poorest and suffer injustice.

"He challenges and inspires us to do even more in our daily mission to help the poorest people in the world to work their way out of poverty and overcome the injustices they face.

"Receiving this blessing to mark our 50th anniversary year is a huge honour. It is fitting recognition for all those who been part of our mission to create a more just world for all.

"With their support, over the last 50 years, we've given millions of families a better chance in life and hope for the future. We won't stop while they need our help."

Meanwhile, following the revelation that Scottish nurse Pauline Cafferkey contracted the Ebola virus while working in Sierra Leone, SCIAF has renewed its appeal for donations for its work in the area.

To date, SCIAF has sent £70,000 to hospitals in Sierra Leone and Liberia to help staff treating Ebola patients.

This has included surgical gloves and masks, and cleaning products such as disinfectant to stop the disease spreading.

A spokesman said: "We're also using Church networks and local radio stations in West Africa to tell people how to protect themselves through hand washing and other hygiene measures and delivering food to families who are in quarantine because of the disease."