CHRISTIANSTED, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) — President Joe Biden opened the primary day of the brand new yr by watching its first sunrise and attending Mass at a Roman Catholic church within the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Biden worshipped Sunday at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Christiansted, where he has attended religious services during his past visits to the island of St. Croix.
Asked about any Latest 12 months’s resolutions as he exited church, Biden replied, “Good yr next yr. Looking forward to it.” He flashed a thumbs up.
Biden and his wife, first lady Jill Biden, woke up at 6:30 a.m. to observe the sunrise from the secluded beach outside the house where they’re staying within the Solitude Bay area of St. Croix, White House officials said.
A vacation tradition of theirs while on the island has been to hitch scores of residents at Point Udall, the easternmost point on the island, to observe the primary sunrise of a latest yr. Biden, who travels with a heavy security presence, stayed away on Sunday.
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He spent Latest 12 months’s Eve at the house, which is owned by their friends Bill and Connie Neville.
Before time ran out on 2022, Biden and the primary lady wished their fellow Americans a joyful latest yr during a taped appearance on Saturday’s broadcast of ABC’s “Dick Clark’s Latest 12 months’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.”
Asked about his message for 2023, Biden said “optimism.”
“I’ve never been more optimistic about America in my whole profession. And you already know, the interesting thing is we’ve been through a lot, a lot difficulty, the pandemic, through a complete range of things. Take a look at how the American people fought back they usually got up. There’s nothing that may hold them down. We’re essentially the most unique country on this planet, we’re a product of possibilities. That’s what we consider in and so I just think, I’m really optimistic.’’
The primary lady encouraged people to “commit to an act of kindness” and “ to care for each other and particularly care for your health this yr.”
“Go get that COVID vaccine and get your flu shot,” she said.
Biden has kept a comparatively low profile since arriving on St. Croix after dark last Tuesday.
His first public appearance got here Friday when he and his grandson Hunter, 16, played golf at The Buccaneer Hotel and Golf Resort in Christiansted.
Later Friday, the Bidens taped the looks with Seacrest after which took Hunter and his sister, Natalie, 18, to dinner at considered one of the island’s best restaurants.
Biden was scheduled to return to the White House on Monday.
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