JD Vance Releases 'Communion,' Casting Catholicism as a Third Way for 2028 America
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 19
JD Vance Releases 'Communion,' Casting Catholicism as a Third Way for 2028 America
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 19
Summary
Vance this week published "Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith," a memoir tracing his path from Pentecostalism and atheism to a 2019 conversion to Roman Catholicism.
The book argues a Catholic-influenced political vision can help repair an America Vance sees as politically, economically and culturally deteriorating, while presenting him as more civilizational critic than culture warrior.
2019 marked his baptism and first communion with Dominican friars in Cincinnati; the memoir also softens some past rhetoric, calling his 2021 "childless cat ladies" remark a "boneheaded comment."
20% of U.S. adults identify as Catholic, yet Vance has become the most prominent Catholic figure in the Trump-era right, even as his hardline politics have clashed publicly with Pope Francis and Pope Leo.
2028 now looms over the book: if Vance runs and wins, he would become only the third Catholic U.S. president and the first Republican to do so.
Does Vance's memoir reveal a genuine spiritual quest or a blueprint for his future political ambitions?
How does Vance's memoir justify his public theological disputes with the head of the Catholic Church?
Can the century-old economic theory of Distributism, championed by Vance, offer a viable alternative to modern capitalism?
"Communion" and Controversy: How JD Vance’s Catholic Conversion Shapes His 2028 Presidential Prospects
Overview
JD Vance’s new book, "Communion," released on June 16, 2026, quickly drew public attention as it coincided with his high-profile role negotiating the Trump administration’s Iran peace deal. While Vance promoted both the agreement and his book, early reviews were mixed, with critics noting that "Communion" lacked the raw impact of his earlier memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy," which had surged in popularity after Trump’s 2016 victory. This simultaneous release and Vance’s evolving public image highlight how his personal spiritual journey and political responsibilities are now closely intertwined, shaping both public perception and critical response.