The pope can do no wrong! That is basically what 'papal infallibility' means in the Roman Catholic religion. The Pope is preserved from the possibility of error by his connection with God.
This hasn't been a problem up until recently, as priests don't usually go around doing bad things. Unfortunately there have been one or two rotten apples that are upsetting the barrel by 'allegedly' putting themselves where they shouldn't; in amongst younger parishioners and altar boys usually.
Gary Glitter is greatly gratified by Gods guys ignoring groping and many convicted nonces see it as a non-committal canonical announcement on behalf of the non-corporeal lord of all creation, that it is OK to be an abuser of children.
The general consensus is that the wrong message is being sent out.
