House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, plans to step down from his leadership role and resign from Congress at the end of October, Boehner told House Republicans in a meeting Friday morning.

“The first job of any speaker is to protect this institution that we all love. It was my plan to only serve as speaker until the end of last year, but I stayed on to provide continuity to the Republican Conference and the House,” Boehner said. “It is my view, however, that prolonged leadership turmoil would do irreparable damage to the institution.”

The resignation from Congress will end a five-year reign as speaker and more than 20 years in Washington. He also served as House majority and minority leader, several years as a whip in the Republican leadership and as chair of the House education committee.

The announcement comes after turmoil with conservatives in Congress who have called on Boehner to change the way he governs. A group of conservatives in Congress has been leading a movement to oust Boehner as speaker, while some have called on him to resign.

It also comes the day after the Pope addressed a joint session of Congress. Boehner, a devout Catholic, was seen tearing up several times throughout the day. Boehner played an integral part in bringing the Pope to Congress.

Within the next week, Boehner will lead the House in finding a way to avoid a government shutdown as funding for the federal government expires Oct. 1.

President Obama said at the White House that Boehner is a “good man” and a “patriot,” but he was surprised to hear about the news. Obama said he called Boehner once he heard about his resignation.

“This is both a great opportunity and responsibility,” said U.S. Rep. Steve King, Republican who represents the 4th District in Congress. Before electing a new speaker of the House, members need to hear from all candidates about their strategy for dealing with an obstinate president, vision for restoring the soul of America and ideas on adhering to regular order.”

King said he wants to hear from each candidate about how he or she would “restore” authority back to Congress when it comes to making laws, and his or her positions on defunding Planned Parenthood, the Iran Deal, immigration initiatives and Obamacare.

“To best facilitate an open process, I encourage members to engage all candidates for speaker on their proposed strategy and tactics in confronting the many challenges our conference faces,” King said. “There is no immediate rush to elect a new Speaker and this provides all of us an opportunity to weigh the decision carefully.”

U.S. Rep. David Young, Republican who represents the 3rd District of Iowa, said he applauds Boehner’s service to his district and this country.

“Soon, we will elect a new Speaker of the House,” Young said. “I look forward to sitting down with those who may be running for that position, or any other leadership position, to understand their priorities and advocate for the concerns of Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District and this nation.”

U.S. Rep Dave Loebsack, the lone Democrat in Congress from Iowa, said he commends Boehner for his service to the House of Representatives and to the nation.

“While I have not always agreed with him, I understand that the challenges of leading a fractured and ideological party must have been extremely difficult,” Loebsack said. “I wish him the best as he moves on to the next phase of his life.”

Loebsack said Republicans in Congress should chose a new speaker who will stop “partisan games” and work with Democrats “to move our nation forward.”