Request by Pope Francis served as catalyst for Boehner’s decision

Special to WorldTribune.com

By Susan Ferrechio, Washington Examiner

As soon as Pope Francis left the Capitol on Thursday, the wheels were set in motion for House Speaker John Boehner to announce his resignation Friday morning.

Speaker of the House John Boehner greets Pope Francis in Washington on Sept. 24.
Speaker of the House John Boehner greets Pope Francis in Washington on Sept. 24.

Boehner told reporters Friday he had planned to announce his resignation on his birthday, Nov. 17, but then began to change his plans after Pope Francis pulled him close, before departing, and told Boehner to pray for him.

“Who am I to pray for the pope? But I did,” said Boehner, a practicing Catholic.

Boehner started considering the idea of resigning after that episode, and he told his chief of staff it was on his mind, and that he’d sleep on it. Boehner told his wife about his plan last night.

Friday morning, Boehner walked to Starbucks and Pete’s Diner in his Capitol Hill neighborhood and that is when he decided, “Today’s the day.” He told his staff at an early morning meeting and then just before a House closed-door meeting with all GOP rank-and-file members, Boehner informed his Majority Leader, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. “I had to tell him five times because he didn’t believe me,” Boehner said. “I said, you better believe me.”

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