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Boehner Grows Emotional Recounting Intimate Moment With Pope Francis

September 25, 2015

House Speaker John Boehner (R., Ohio) teared up during his press conference about resigning from office when he recounted a story of Pope Francis privately complimenting his commitment to education and asking for Boehner's prayers.

Boehner, a lifelong Catholic, joked about his reputation for getting emotional when MSNBC reporter Luke Russert asked him about his much-publicized bouts of tears during the Pope's visit to Congress and whether meeting him influenced his decision to announce his resignation.

"Yesterday was a wonderful day. It really was. And was I emotional yesterday? I think I was," Boehner quipped. "I was really emotional in a moment that really no one saw. As the Pope and I were getting ready to exit the building, we found ourselves alone, and the Pope grabbed my left arm and said some very kind words about my commitment to kids and education."

Boehner paused and choked up when he mentioned his dedication to children.

"And the Pope puts his arm around me and kind of pulls me to him and says, 'Please pray for me,'" Boehner said. "Well, who am I to pray for the Pope? But I did."

Boehner added that he never had any doubt he would lose his Speakership, saying it was never about the votes.

"I don't want my members to have to go through this, and I certainly don't want the institution to go through this," he said. "And so, especially when I knew I was thinking about walking out the door anyway. So it's the right time to do it, and frankly I am entirely comfortable doing it."

Boehner will officially step down Oct. 30. President Obama said he was surprised by the announcement and told the press Boehner was a "patriot" and "a good man."