Vice President JD Vance will release a new book this summer about his journey to Catholicism, according to a March 31 report from The Associated Press.
The upcoming book, titled “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith,” is set for publication on June 16 by HarperCollins Publishers’ imprint Harper. This follows the success of Vance’s earlier memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” which brought him national attention.
Vance said in a statement, “The story of how I regained my faith, of course, only happened because I had lost it to begin with. The interesting question that hangs over this book, and over my mind, is why I ever strayed from the path. Why the Christian faith of my youth failed to properly take root.” According to the publisher’s comments reported by AP, Vance wrote the book himself and has been working on it since 2019—the same year he converted to Catholicism.
He has described himself as the “first Catholic convert” serving as vice president and is only the second Catholic overall in that office after former President Joe Biden. During his tenure as vice president, Vance has sometimes disagreed with leaders of the Catholic Church; for example, he questioned U.S. bishops’ criticism regarding some immigration policies under former President Trump.
The Associated Press noted that announcing a new book could lead to speculation about Vance’s possible presidential run in 2028. Publishing books and embarking on media tours are common steps for those considering higher office. Other politicians such as Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and former Vice President Kamala Harris have also published or announced books recently.
