I've seen these articles pop up as well.
I do not question Ratzinger's culpability, but there is no proof (so far as I am aware) that he, himself, abused a child/children.
That does not make him less culpable.
In fact I would say he is far more culpable because he has colluded and lead a widespread cover up the extent of the sexual abuse that has happened in the church for decades (and sadly, probably centuries). And this cover up not only demeans its victims but allows it to continue.
And there is considerable proof that he has had a direct hand in doing that during his tenure as Cardinal and as Pope Benedict.
Ratzinger headed up the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the organization (in the church) responsible for dealing with the sexual abuse cases.
And it is very likely he has met with the Italian President before/since announcing his resignation, but the nature of those meetings is speculative at best.
There have been multiple cases filed against the Church and against Pope Benedict IX/Cardinal Ratzinger for his role in covering up the abuse cases.
There is a significant case that was filed by the Center for Constitutional Rights a little over a year ago, and that is the legal case to watch. It was filed with the Hague as a "Crime Against Humanity" (as it should be!).
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011...-victims-abuse
But until his resignation is complete the Pope has immunity from prosecution as a the head of a sovereign state.
The question after his tenure is complete... will he leave Vatican City?
If he does leave Vatican City there is no doubt he will face legal action. But the extent to which they go after him personally, remains to be seen.
Victims, organizations supporting the victims and their litigators really want to hit the Church itself. When he ceases to be the leader of the Church, his value as a legal target is significantly reduced; both symbolically and financially.
If he does not leave the Vatican City, I am not sure if he can be successfully prosecuted. As far as I am aware Vatican City (an independent sovereign state) does not have extradition treaties with any country. As leader of the sovereign state, obviously, he was not going to approve his own extradition; but I'm pretty certain no incoming Pope would approve his extradition either if Ratzinger remained in the VC to avoid prosecution.
It will be interesting, indeed, to see how it all plays out.