Vice President JD Vance spoke May 21 at a monthly gathering of Catholic lawmakers and congressional staffers on Capitol Hill, sharing details of his conversion to Catholicism and his thoughts on the role of faith in public life.
The event, called “Catholic Connections,” is hosted by House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., who holds the informal, off-the-record discussions to allow Catholic elected officials, aides, and others to connect over their shared faith.
Vance, a 2019 convert to Catholicism who previously identified as an atheist, shared his Christian testimony and discussed living a life of service to others, according to lawmakers who attended.
“It was an honor to have @VP JD Vance, the highest-ranking Catholic in U.S. government, at Catholic Connections this morning,” Emmer wrote in a post on X. “Thank you, Mr. Vice President, for joining us and sharing your story of faith, family, and public service.”
It was an honor to have @VP JD Vance, the highest-ranking Catholic in U.S. government, at Catholic Connections this morning.
— Tom Emmer (@GOPMajorityWhip) May 21, 2026
Thank you, Mr. Vice President, for joining us and sharing your story of faith, family, and public service. pic.twitter.com/Kpsu8hVdd6
Rep. Bob Latta, R-Ohio, praised Vance for joining the group and noted that the vice president “shared his testimony, his faith, and the importance of living out our values through service to others.”
It was an honor to have the highest-ranking Catholic in the U.S. government, @VP Vance, join us at Catholic Connections this morning.
— Rep. Bob Latta (@boblatta) May 21, 2026
The Vice President, who is from Ohio, shared his testimony, his faith, and the importance of living out our values through service to others. pic.twitter.com/6yrmR5lCwI
Rep. Michael Baumgartner, R-Wash., who had spoken at a previous session, said Vance’s remarks were “thoughtful and inspiring.”
Whip Tom Emmer has established a wonderful “Catholic Connections” monthly gathering of Catholic electeds to discuss their faith journey and answer questions like “how did you pick your Confirmation saint?” with a fun and thoughtful (and growing) group of electeds and staff. A few… pic.twitter.com/7TEynLtt83
— Congressman Michael Baumgartner (@RepBaumgartner) May 21, 2026
Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., said it was “Wonderful to have the Vice President visit the U.S. Capitol and share his faith journey from atheism to conversion to the Roman Catholic faith.”
Wonderful to have the Vice President visit the U.S. Capitol and share his faith journey from atheism to conversion to the Roman Catholic faith. Grateful to House Whip Tom Emmer for hosting and moderating this intimate conversation with J.D. Vance on spiritual life, family, and… pic.twitter.com/EngdATfE9d
— French Hill (@RepFrenchHill) May 21, 2026
According to Emmer’s office, Catholic Connections is dedicated to “fostering a faith-based community among Catholics working on Capitol Hill.”