Papon never did recant. In an interview shortly before his death he continued to claim he was the victim of a conspiracy.
The French, having arrested him and tried him, found him guilty, and sentenced him to 10 years in prison. They let him go after only three years.
He died at 96 in his own bed.
His "soul" is far uglier than his face.
A truly repellent individual. The fact that folks like this get only 10 makes ne doubt the existence of an almighty.