Idaho's Catholic bishop, 74, to offer resignation to Pope Francis

BOISE (AP) - The bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise will offer his resignation to Pope Francis early next month in keeping with church policy.

Michael P. Driscoll has been bishop in Boise 15 years.

All bishops are asked to submit a resignation on their 75th birthday. Driscoll, who is Idaho's oldest presiding bishop, will turn 75 on Aug. 8.

The Idaho Statesman reported it's possible his resignation could be denied, in which case he would remain bishop.

Still, diocesan spokesman Michael Brown said Driscoll plans to visit churches in several parts of the state beginning Aug. 24 to thank people for their support and to give them an opportunity to wish him well in his potential retirement.

Idaho has 174,000 Catholics, making them the second-largest denomination in the state, after Mormons.