“Our world today stands at an inflection point where the decisions we make today are going to affect our futures for decades to come,” Mr. Biden said. “And it’s in these moments where we need hope and courage more than ever.”Connecting his political worldview with his family story, the president told the crowd — and the world — that it was “a moment to recommit our hearts, our minds, our heart and souls to the march of progress. To lay the foundation, brick by brick by brick, for a better future for our kids and our grandkids.”Few politicians in the United States get the kind of raw, unanimous shows of approval that Mr. Biden got in Ballina, with an address in front of a Disney-like cathedral, with rock-star lighting and an uninhibited roar from an adoring crowd. Earlier Friday, thousands of people stood along the river, braving cold weather and spurts of heavy rain, for the chance to see Mr. Biden. Musical acts played on large screens while the president slowly made his way across Ireland from Dublin Friday evening.

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