Pope Francis' visit to Congress in 2015 marked a historical moment as he became the first pontiff to address a Joint Meeting of Congress, where his appeal for dignity and the Golden Rule resonated deeply. During the visit, John Boehner, then Speaker of the House, was visibly moved by the Pope's message, leading to a personal encounter that profoundly affected him. The following day, Boehner unexpectedly announced his resignation, a decision that triggered significant leadership turmoil within the House of Representatives. Boehner's departure set off a chain of events that destabilized the speakership, with Kevin McCarthy and others struggling to secure the position. This period of instability highlighted the ongoing challenges and volatility of leadership within the U.S. House of Representatives, and the concept of 'white smoke' became a metaphor for the selection of new leaders in Congress, akin to the papal conclave in the Vatican.

Pope Francis' 2015 visit to Congress was historic as he became the first pope to address a Joint Meeting of Congress, delivering a speech that emphasized treating others with dignity and following the Golden Rule.

John Boehner, then Speaker of the House, was emotionally affected by the Pope's message, leading to a private moment where Pope Francis asked Boehner to pray for him, leaving a lasting impact on Boehner.

The day after the Pope's visit, Boehner announced his resignation, a move that shocked Washington and indicated his long-held desire to step down, which had been delayed by political circumstances.

Boehner's resignation led to a tumultuous period in the House, with Kevin McCarthy initially favored to succeed him, but he ultimately withdrew due to insufficient support, causing further instability.

Paul Ryan reluctantly accepted the role of Speaker after McCarthy's withdrawal, and his tenure was marked by challenges and a shifting political landscape, with subsequent speakers facing similar struggles.

The term 'white smoke,' borrowed from the papal conclave process, became a metaphor for the difficult process of electing a new Speaker, reflecting the political maneuvering required to secure leadership in Congress.

Boehner's resignation and the events that followed highlighted the fragile nature of the speakership in the U.S. House of Representatives, with ongoing threats and challenges to leadership stability.