Well..Jenson,
I've never really liked John Paul II's theology...but then again I went to a Jesuit HS so I am not really big on "I'm the Pope so what i say goes and
" school of theological interpretation.
The fact is, I think JP 2 is a very poor theologian but his historical role in bringing down communism and re establishing religion across the iron curtain was more important than his shortcomings in theology.