Ummmm - “Do we actually know, for a fact, that he was covering up for paedos?”
Yes we do. I've answered this one before...
http://www.theanswerb...9.html#answer-4742676
From my own answer, “... Ratzinger, prior to becoming Pope was head of the 'Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith'. The role of this 'office' within the Church is... “... to promote and safeguard the doctrine on the faith and morals throughout the Catholic world: for this reason everything which in any way touches such matters falls within its competence...
… this office would be aware of the widespread abuse of children because that was it's main role. Ratzinger was head of this office... "
The evidence is unequivocal - the current Pope was not only aware of widespread child abuse in the Church but was instrumental in covering it up.