"just as his predecessor, John Paul II, reshaped the dimensions of the papacy by openly taking sides in the Cold War. "
I think you miss read this line. He is refereing to John Paul and his taking up the fight for Polish freedom from the commies
"
It will come as a huge surprise that many people everywhere are not aware of nor care about what ever the Pope chooses to busy himself with at the moment.
It is irrelelevant.