Boehner & Pope FrancisPope Francis & John Boehner, Sept. 24.

Embattled Hose Speaker John Boehner will retire at the end of October, according to Politico.

The Ohio Republican faces heated opposition from within his party from a group of 40 hard-core conservative members intent on shutting down the government on Oct. 1 unless Congress approves to defund Planned Parenthood.

Boehner supporters had planned to conduct a vote of confidence in Boehner in a bid to buttress his leadership.