Near what proves to be the end of Beau’s life, he is hospitalized, frequently disoriented, and suffering a cascade of complications. A Catholic priest stops by the room, to offer any help he can, and in Biden’s telling, “Jill thanked him for stopping by but asked him to please leave. And not to come back. She didn’t want Beau to get the idea he was there to perform last rites. In fact, there would be no discussion about last rites.”

And, ultimately, there were no last rites. The Bidens only talked openly about Beau’s impending death when the doctors told them that Beau, who was barely responsive, wouldn’t recover; at that point, they had to gather everyone to say goodbye. It was too late for Beau to make a last confession or prepare, spiritually and sacramentally, for death.