Vice President JD Vance has released a new memoir, "Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith," marking a significant moment as he outlines his political philosophy ahead of the emerging 2028 presidential race, in which he is widely seen as a leading Republican contender. The 304-page book, published on Tuesday, explores Vance’s personal journey, including his return to Christianity and conversion to Catholicism, while addressing some of the controversies that have surrounded him.
Vance openly reflects on a widely criticized comment he made in 2021, when he referred to some Democratic women, including then–Vice President Kamala Harris, as "childless cat ladies," suggesting they lacked a direct stake in America's future. The remark resurfaced recently during the 2024 campaign after former President Donald J. Trump selected Vance as his running mate, sparking renewed backlash. In his memoir, he calls the statement “boneheaded” and acknowledges it distracted from his broader argument that American society has become hostile to childbearing and family formation. Drawing on Christian teachings, he expresses regret about the comment and frames his views on the importance of respecting the dignity of all life.
Another key aspect of the memoir is Vance’s critique of the Vatican’s handling of immigration issues. Reflecting on his April 2025 meeting with Pope Francis and Vatican officials, Vance describes feeling "unsettled" by what he characterized as their “generic” and “trite” moral guidance. He suggests that as the highest-ranking Catholic in the U.S. government at that time, he expected a more nuanced approach from the Church on balancing immigration enforcement with moral obligations. The pope’s death shortly after their encounter is also mentioned in the book.
The theme of declining birthrates in the United States and other Western countries features prominently throughout the memoir. Vance emphasizes the link between fertility rates and Christian cultural foundations, noting that more religious countries tend to maintain stronger family formation. Citing Israel as a unique case among advanced economies due to its stable native-born population, he voices concerns heard from world leaders about potential social and economic consequences of low birthrates, including strains on pension systems and military recruitment. He also discusses the loneliness and “situationships” reported by younger generations, suggesting these trends reflect deeper societal issues.
Vance articulates a vision in which U.S. policymakers are guided more by Christian morals than by purely economic metrics. He argues that the decline of shared moral language has allowed economics to supplant ethical considerations in public policy—a shift he views critically. His stance underscores a populist framework, linking economic and social policies with religious values, and stressing that support for human life extends beyond birth to ensuring quality of life.
The memoir also offers insights into Vance’s personal life, including his relationship with his wife, Usha Vance, a practicing Hindu who played a significant role in his spiritual return. He recounts how he ended a prior relationship early in law school to pursue Usha, whom he describes as the “anchor” of their family. The couple are expecting their fourth child, with Vance crediting Usha’s encouragement as instrumental to his renewed church attendance.
In a poignant section, Vance reflects on the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a close friend who was assassinated in September. Kirk, a Turning Point USA co-founder, had helped shape the political engagement of younger evangelical voters and influenced Vance’s perspectives, particularly regarding Israel. Following Kirk’s death, Vance and his wife reconsidered expanding their family, inspired in part by Kirk’s widow’s regrets about having only two children.
“Communion” thus serves as both a personal memoir and a political statement, grounding Vance’s vision for America in faith and family amid the backdrop of his rising national prominence.