People are being encouraged to sit and pray next to the iconic Homeless Jesus sculpture at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh.

The famous statue has been placed in locations worldwide and is based on Jesus' words in Matthew 25:40: Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

It is hoped that the statue depicting Jesus Christ sleeping rough on a park bench will focus attention on homelessness in Edinburgh and remind Christians of their duty of care to homeless people in the city.

Sculptor Timothy Schmalz said: "Back when I was working on the clay I was sitting near the feet and I thought to myself ‘this is the closest I've ever been to a homeless person and it's a sculpture!’

"I thought, I'm going to have to leave this space here to welcome people to sit down.”

He added: “If you're homeless, one of the first things you lose is your sense of self worth.

“This sculpture symbolically reclaims it in a sense by saying that, if Jesus came down today he would hang out with you not the politicians and not the billionaires."

The Cathedral was approached by Timothy last year about installing the sculpture and it was placed outside the Cathedral on 3 September after planning permission was granted by the city council.

Monsignor Jeremy Milne, Cathedral Administrator, said: "We are so pleased to have this extraordinary sculpture outside the Cathedral.

"It is a powerful reminder of the Gospel imperative to serve Christ in the poor, the hungry, the sick and the homeless.

“Homeless Jesus is an eye-catching piece of art which invites people to pause and reflect, and we've seen many people do just that."

A plaque next to the sculpture reads “This statue by Timothy Schmalz is inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40: Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

"The figure of Christ, resting on a bench, invites us to see Him in those who are homeless, hungry, or forgotten.

"As you stop here at St Mary’s Cathedral, may this image stir compassion, and remind us that every act of kindness to those in need is an act of love for Christ himself.”