I wonder what is driving his resignation. I can understand giving up his leadership position, but giving up his seat before the election is very odd. Is he suffering from a medical issue or is something else going on?
Yes, the Pope was causation in a manner. It's well known the Boner is a raging alcoholic. the tears he had were because he knew he didn't dare reach for his flask on national tv.
He probably saw the handwriting on the wall, calculated that he was going to be thrown out of the leadership by the conservative caucus, and decided it would be better to quit with some lame excuse than be kicked out of his position.