US House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner told Republican colleagues on Friday that he would be stepping down in October, according to US Congressman Bill Huizenga.

Boehner is the most powerful single member of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Congress, and the second in line to the presidency after the vice president.

According to one of the congressman's aides, the decision was taken to avoid "turmoil" in the Republican Party .

"The Speaker believes putting members through prolonged leadership turmoil would do irreparable damage to the institution," the aide said in an email, according to Reuters news agency.

"For the good of the Republican conference and the institution, he will resign the Speakership and his seat in Congress, effective October 30."

The move comes after 65-year-old Boehner made history by hosting Pope Francis at Congress on Thursday, an emotional event for the Catholic congressman who wept several times during the pontiff's address.

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