Here is another piece of evidence that Benedict, while he was head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (Holy Office), was not inclined to cover-ups. He wanted a former cardinal fully investigated.

Vienna's Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn, in defense of the pope, told ORF Austrian television on Sunday that Benedict wanted a full probe when former Vienna Cardinal Hans Hermann Groer was removed in 1995 for alleged sexual abuse of a boy.

But other Curia officials persuaded then Pope John Paul that the media had exaggerated the case and an inquiry would only create more bad publicity.

"He told me, 'the other side won'," Schoenborn said.