Biden has emotional meeting with priest who gave last rites to son, Beau, in Co Mayo
US President Joe Biden broke down in tears on the final day of his Ireland tour after an emotional unplanned meeting with a priest who gave the last rites to his son.
The Parish priest of Knock, Fr Richard Gibbons, told UTV that the chaplain who performed the last rites sacrament on Mr Biden’s son now works at the Knock Shrine in Co Mayo where the President paid a visit on Friday.
Fr Frank O’Grady performed the ceremony for Beau Biden before he died of brain cancer in 2015.
Following Mr Biden’s tour of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Knock – a Catholic pilgrimage site – Fr Gibbons told UTV that Fr O'Grady and President Biden shared an "emotional encounter" when they spoke about the last moments Fr O'Grady spent with President Biden's son.
He said Fr O'Grady described giving the last rites to the President's son, Beau, to Mr Biden and his other son Hunter.
He added that President Biden "got quite emotional at that."
Afterwards, Fr Gibbons said he let the President have a moment to himself.
Fr Gibbons added: "It hit him, you could see he was wiping away the tears."
After leaving Knock, Mr Biden travelled to Castlebar where he made a private visit to the Mayo Roscommon Hospice.
The President had a longstanding pledge to revisit the facility, having turned the sod on the development in 2017.
A plaque at the entrance to the hospice is dedicated to Beau Biden’s memory.
At the site Mr Biden, along with his son Hunter and sister Valerie, met with distant cousin Laurita Blewitt.
Mr Biden’s visit to Co Mayo is set to end his four-day tour of the island after he touched down at the airport in Knock on Friday afternoon.
The trip is another return to ancestral roots for the president after his trip to Co Louth on Wednesday.
The President has repeatedly spoken with passion about his Irish heritage and described addressing the country’s parliament on Thursday as “one of the great honours of my career”.
He said, “it’s good to be back,” as he was greeted by various dignitaries including transport minister Eamon Ryan and Mayo TD Dara Calleary after disembarking Air Force One at Ireland West airport.
The final day of Mr Biden’s trip – which former Taoiseach Enda Kenny said was the longest presidential visit to Ireland ever – will culminate in a public address.
The speech will take place at St Muredach’s Cathedral, which has a direct link to the President’s ancestors.
Mr Biden’s great-great-great grandfather Edward Blewitt sold 27,000 bricks to the cathedral in 1827, which helped buy tickets for himself and his family to sail to America decades later in 1851.
After his arrival at the airport, the president then travelled to the Knock shrine where he was greeted by cheering crowds who lined the streets outside.
The President touched the apparition wall as part of his tour before Fr Gibbons accompanied him into the Apparition Chapel for some moments of quiet reflection.
The President is also set to visit the North Mayo Heritage and Genealogical Centre’s family history research unit.
It is believed Mr Biden will also make a private visit to the Mayo Roscommon Hospice in Castlebar that is dedicated to his son Beau.
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