Boehner is also a Catholic, and was instrumental in getting the Pope to speak to Congress. They apparently had a private meeting, and some Boehner aides are indicating that the decision was made after that meeting.
On the one hand, you could allege Papal influence in domestic politics. On the other, you could imagine Il Papa saying, "Look at the people you're leading, and think how their actions and values correspond with the message of Christ."
I'm looking forward to hearing about this episode when Boehner publishes his memoirs in the future. I hope it titles it Fuck All Y'all, I'm Out: Being In Charge Of The Insane Asylum.
Now...will the GOP establishment be able to get one of theirs into the speakership, or will the unhinged wing get a real firebreather installed? The establishment candidate looks to be Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), no clear idea yet who the Tea Party candidates might be.
One possibility is Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), a member of the Tea Party caucus, but his tenure as whip has been pretty poor. The Whip's job is to enforce party discipline and "whip" dissenting or reluctant members into voting with the party, and the GOP has had a big problem with insurgent Republicans sinking legislation that the House leadership wants passed. On the other hand, that could be a point in his favor to those insurgents if they think he's deliberately been helping them.
Some other possibilities, off the top of my head:
Tom McClintock (CA)
Steve King (IA)
Jim Jordan (OH)
Louie Gohmert (TX)
Pete Sessions (TX)
If I had to pick three, I'd say Jordan, Gohmert, and Scalise as they've all actually tried to oust Boehner at points in the past.
EDIT: the more I think about it, Gohmert is a poster boy for the unhinged wing. He's probably too incendiary to win the post, but they'll probably try. If he wins the Speakership, its a sign of just how far gone the House is.