JD Vance Announces Memoir on Catholic Conversion Amid 2028 Speculation
US vice-president JD Vance has announced a new memoir focusing on his conversion to Catholicism, adding to the growing discussion about a possible 2028 presidential campaign.
The forthcoming book, titled Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith, is scheduled for publication on 16 June by HarperCollins. It is described as "a spiritual exploration of what it means to be a Christian across the seasons of Vance’s life."
In a statement, Vance said he had been working on the project "for a long time" and characterized it as an account of rediscovering religion:
"Communion is about my personal journey and how I found my way back to faith."
According to the publisher, the memoir addresses Vance’s loss of faith and his eventual return to Christianity. Vance converted to Catholicism in 2019 at age 35, having been raised in a loosely evangelical family. The publisher noted the book "reveals how his faith guides his work in public life, and how it informs his vision for the future."
Political Context and Memoir Timing
This announcement arrives as Vance is increasingly seen as a potential successor to former president Donald Trump. Publishing a memoir ahead of a presidential bid is a common strategy in US politics. On the Democratic side, several possible 2028 candidates have recently released or announced books, including Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
Faith Influences Policy and Public Positions
Vance’s focus on faith reflects a significant aspect of his political identity. His conversion to Catholicism has shaped his stances on issues such as abortion and family policy. He has previously defended the White House’s deportation policies through his interpretation of Catholic teachings, invoking the concept of ordo amoris – "order of love" – to justify prioritizing obligations to fellow citizens over non-citizens.
These views have occasionally sparked controversy. Prior to becoming Pope Leo XIV in May 2025, an X account believed to be his shared criticism of the White House’s plans for mass deportations of migrants. The account also linked to an opinion piece titled ‘JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.’
Without naming Vance directly, the late Pope Francis emphasized that:
"the true ordo amoris that must be promoted is that which we discover by meditating constantly on the parable of the ‘Good Samaritan’ … that is, by meditating on the love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception."
Background: Hillbilly Elegy and Cultural Impact
Communion follows the success of Vance’s first book, Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, published in 2016. That memoir detailed his upbringing in rural Ohio and his journey from a troubled family environment to Yale Law School. It became a bestseller, spending over 200 weeks on the New York Times list and selling more than five million copies worldwide. The book was later adapted into a film directed by Ron Howard, starring Glenn Close and Amy Adams.
