US News

Francis speaks his peace

Pope Francis made an impassioned plea for peace during his first Easter Sunday address yesterday, praying that Jesus would inspire the world to “change hatred into love, vengeance into forgiveness, war into peace.”

“How much blood has been shed!” the new pope told a crowd of more than 250,000 while celebrating the Christian holy day at a Mass in Vatican City.

The Roman Catholic leader called for peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians and asked for the resolution of conflicts in Syria and the Korean Peninsula.

“How much suffering must there still be before a political solution can be found?” he added.

After Mass, Francis stepped aboard the open-topped Popemobile for a spin through the crowd. He kissed babies and patted children on the head.

His Holiness, who has made helping the poor his life’s work, aimed his Easter greetings at “every house and every family, especially where the suffering is greatest, in hospitals, in prisons.”

He said, “Bear in your families and in your countries the message of joy, hope and peace, which every year, on this day, is powerfully renewed.”

Also yesterday, Timothy Cardinal Dolan told ABC’s “This Week” that American homosexuals are “entitled to friendship” — but that he won’t budge on his position against allowing gays to legally say, “I do.”

“We also know that God has told us that the way to happiness, that — especially when it comes to sexual love — that is intended only for a man and woman in marriage, where children can come about naturally,” he said.

During Easter Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral — where a group of gay activists gathered outside to protest Dolan’s positions — the cardinal asked the faithful to “apply the picture of Jesus Christ to yourself.”

“Identify whatever is in your heart and soul that might be corrupt or decadent . . . and say, ‘Jesus, you know what, I’d like to accept your invitation,’ ” he told the more than 2,500 people.

Meanwhile, President Obama celebrated Easter at St. John’s Church in Washington alongside First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters, Sasha and Malia.

He was greeted by several parishioners with handshakes and smiles during Holy Communion, in which the first family partook.