what initially appeared as an unconditional papal retreat has suddenly been transformed into a resounding Vatican victory
From the article to which you linked:
"The rector of La Sapienza, Rome's largest and oldest university, vowed to invite the Pope back. And Italy's major newspapers published the full text of the speech he never gave, thereby assuring it received more coverage than if it had been delivered."
Had the physics faculty, a small number of students and outside agitators not made such an ignorant, intolerant and close-minded scene with potentially violent demonstrations, then very few people, relatively speaking, would have even heard about this speech. Instead, through the work of the Holy Spirit, many have had the opportunity to read another brilliant reflection by one of the world's greatest teachers. One more example of Our Lord bringing good out of evil.
For anyone interested in more background on the situation, Sandro Magister has a detailed column. (Skip over the extract of the speech.)