Pope Francis has appointed Father John Keenan as Bishop of Paisley.

The Diocese of Paisley has been vacant since September 2012, when Bishop Philip Tartaglia became Archbishop of Glasgow.

Bishop Elect John Keenan was born in Glasgow in 1964, he later went on to study at the University of Glasgow and was Chaplain at Holyrood from 1997 to 2000, and the University of Glasgow Chaplain from 2000 to present.

His installation will take place at St Mirin's Cathedral in Paisley on Wednesday March 19, the Feast of St Joseph.

He will be Scotland's youngest Bishop following his ordination.

He said: "While nervous at my appointment, I have been very uplifted at the congratulations and good wishes I have received so far which have given more confidence.

"Everyone I speak to says Paisley is a wonderful diocese with good priests and people full of faith.

"I am looking forward to being with my brother priests, many of whom I already know really well, and getting to know the people and the parishes of the diocese. I hope just to settle in and listen a lot."

"At the same time I leave Glasgow with a heavy heart.

"I have loved my priesthood there from the very beginning and know I have family and many friends who will continue supporting me.

"This is an exciting time in the Church under Pope Francis' lively leadership and I hope to put as much of his vision into my own personal life and ministry as I can.

"I know many people in Paisley and Glasgow will be praying for me and I thank them very much."

The appointment of Bishop ElectKeenan is the third Scottish Episcopal appointment made by Pope Francis since his election in March 2013.

He has also appointed Archbishop Leo Cushley as Archbishop of St, Andrews & Edinburgh and Bishop Stephen Robson as Bishop of Dunkeld.

Welcoming the appointment of his successor, Archbishop Tartaglia said: "As Archbishop of Glasgow, I am glad that a priest of the Archdiocese has been named by Pope Francis as Bishop of Paisley.

"Father Keenan has been a much-loved and respected Parish Priest, and an inspirational Catholic Chaplain to Glasgow University.

"His appointment gives me a huge headache in trying to replace him.

"But, in the Church, when one part of the body is made stronger, the whole body benefits.

"So, in this case, Paisley's delight is Glasgow's joy, and I am certain that Fr Keenan will be a fine bishop for Paisley.

"As a former of Bishop of Paisley, I am very happy that the Diocese of Paisley now has a new Bishop.

"It's a great diocese and very supportive of its bishops.

"Bishop-Elect John Keenan can expect a warm and heartfelt welcome throughout the diocese.

"I was very happy as Bishop of Paisley and I am sure he will be too.

"And as President of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, along with my brother-bishops, I will be delighted to welcome our new colleague to the Bishops' Conference.

"We know that John is a very gifted priest, and we look forward with anticipation to his contribution as a bishop to the work of the Conference."

Father David Boyd, who has been the Administrator of the Diocese in the interim period, said: "I was absolutely delighted to hear that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, had nominated as bishop of Paisley Diocese Fr. John Keenan.

"Over the past seventeen months since Archbishop Tartaglia left for Glasgow we have been praying at many masses in our diocese for 'a pastor who will please you by his holiness and to show us watchful care'".

"I am certain that in Bishop Elect John Keenan, that prayer has been answered.

"On behalf of Bishop Emeritus John Mone, the priests and deacons and lay faithful of the Diocese of Paisley, I can assure Bishop Elect John a very warm welcome and the assurance of our prayers and support.

"Over the past seventeen months, as Administrator, I have been taken aback time and time again by the support, energy and good will of all the clergy and people of this Diocese.

"I am certain that Bishop Elect John will also experience this and that we will hopefully make him feel at home very quickly."