President-elect Joe Biden hugs grandson Hunter, 14, at late son Beau's grave as he attends Sunday Mass
Joe Biden spent his first day as President-elect of the United States just like a regular Sunday, accompanying his family to a church near their home. The former vice president arrived at St Joseph on the Brandywine in Wilmington, Delaware, shortly after the 10.30 am Mass. According to the Daily Mail, Biden usually arrives at the church a bit late and leaves a few minutes early so that other attendees aren't bothered by the presence of Secret Service agents.
While it felt like any other Sunday, there was a sizeable media presence camped near the church entrance as they waited for Biden to arrive. The veteran politician was accompanied by his daughter Ashley and his 14-year-old grandson Hunter, both of whom had joined him on stage when he delivered his victory speech the night before. The trio was seen walking out to the cemetery following the Mass to visit the grave of Beau Biden, the President-elect's late son and Hunter's father.
In a show of respect to his late son, Biden bowed his head as he stood over the grave. Beau was a former Delaware attorney general who succumbed to brain cancer at age 46 in 2015. In his celebratory speech the night before, the president-elect had referred to his late son and his faith, even reciting a hymn that Beau loved. "In the last days of the campaign, I've been thinking about a hymn that means a lot to me and to my family, particularly my deceased son Beau. It captures the faith that sustains me and which I believe sustains America," Biden explained. "And I hope it can provide some comfort and solace to the more than 230,000 families who have lost a loved one to this terrible virus this year. My heart goes out to each and every one of you. Hopefully, this hymn gives you solace as well. 'He will raise you up on eagle's wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His Hand.'"
"Now, together — on eagle's wings — we embark on the work that God and history have called upon us to do," Biden continued. "With full hearts and steady hands, with faith in America and in each other, with a love of country — and a thirst for justice — let us be the nation that we know we can be. A nation united. A nation strengthened. A nation healed. The United States of America. God bless you. And may God protect our troops."
Biden was joined on stage by his family, including his 50-year-old son Robert Hunter Biden and seven-month-old grandson, who is reportedly named Beau after his late brother. The doting grandfather greeted Hunter and little Beau on stage, taking the baby in his arms and planting a kiss on the head. Robert Hunter, who is mired in controversy over his alleged international business dealings with his father, was accompanied by his South African-born wife Melissa, 34, who he married in May 2019. Biden was also joined by the couple's daughter, Ashley Blazer Biden, and Hunter's other daughters Naomi and Finnegan.