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Opus Dei was not a project of Pope John Paul. It was started by Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer. The Pope Tolerated Opus Dei.

I don't know about just "tolerated." John Paul II declared Opus Dei to be the sole personal prelature in the Catholic Church, which means that Opus operates like its own diocese. Moreover, John Paul II canonized St. Josemaria Escriva, a fact which should not be overlooked.

Interestingly, St. Josemaria Escriva's idea of making everyday life holy--for both clergy and laity--prefigured Lumen Gentium's "universal call to holiness" by about 40 years. Additionally, since it's founding, Opus Dei has been willing to work with non-Catholic faiths to promote charitable works, such as education; it was one of the first Catholic groups to do so. While Opus Dei's call is not for everyone (myself included), those involved in "The Work" that I've met are very pious, charitable people.