On the eve of the presidential election, Donald Trump took a few moments during his opening remarks in Sarasota, Florida, on Monday to give a celebratory shout-out to Reverend Billy Graham, on the occasion of the well-loved faith leader’s 98th birthday.

Speaking in front of a packed Robarts Arena crowd, Trump seemed energized and delighted that Graham’s granddaughter Cissie Graham Lynch had made a few remarks prior to his taking the stage. Fox News reported that the enthusiasm was high at Trump’s first event of the day in the all-important swing state of Florida, with 4,700 people in attendance inside and thousands more waiting outside the event center.

“I can’t imagine Reverend Graham would be in favor of a Hillary Clinton presidency — but I do know he would be praying for her, and for this country.”

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“I am a big fan of Billy Graham — we all are. Who isn’t?” said Trump to the cheering crowd. “I’m also a big fan, and he’s been so incredible to me — of Franklin Graham. He’s a great guy. And Billy Graham’s granddaughter was here and spoke incredibly, I hear … Cissy Graham Lynch.”

“I will tell you my father used to take me — they called it The Crusades,” said Trump. “It was a beautiful thing and Billy Graham was amazing … Ninety-eight years old, Billy Graham. Billy Graham is amazing — truly one of the great, great men.”

Billy Graham celebrated his birthday at his home in Montreat, North Carolina, as the Winston-Salem Journal reported, and visitors to the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte were invited to sign a birthday banner with prayers, memories, and birthday wishes for the popular evangelist.

Related: Billy Graham’s Daughter: Prayer Trumps All

The iconic leader was born in Charlotte in 1918, and is often referred to as “America’s pastor.” Graham has prayed with the lowly and the powerful, and has served as a spiritual adviser to a number of presidents.

“I enjoyed a spiritual retreat focused on the Book of Romans at The Cove, the Franklins’ retreat center in North Carolina,” a 77-year-old Columbia, Maryland, resident told LifeZette. “The spirit of Billy Graham — graciousness, prayerfulness, laughter, and fellowship — pervaded the buildings and the people who work there. When you check in, the person behind the front desk will tell you, ‘We’ve been praying for you.’ And they mean specifically — they are praying for you by name before you even arrive.”

She added, “I can’t imagine Reverend Graham would be in favor of a Hillary Clinton presidency — but I do know he would be praying for her, and for this country.”

Franklin Graham tweeted on Monday morning, “Happy Birthday to my father Billy Graham — he’s 98 today! He told us three years ago that he might live to be 100 — I hope he does! He once said, ‘God isn’t finished with you when you retire! We never retire from His service.'”