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You quoted John Paul II's own words, Due to a type of iconography which has been very popular since the 17th century, Clare is often depicted holding a monstrance. That means it wasn't depicted as such beforehand. Even with this iconography, it doesn't mean the Church was giving approval for non-ordained people to carry the Blessed Sacrament.

Also, John Paul later says, which she had placed in front of the refectory door that the Emperor's troops were about to storm. It doesn't say she personally placed the monstrance there, but that it was her advice that got the whole thing in motion.

As far the blogger's words, "it is a grave abuse and horrendous scandal for a woman to hold the Blessed Sacrament in her hands," I'm sure that person would make the wider point that it is a "grave abuse and horrendous scandal" for anyone other than those who have received Holy Orders to hold the Blessed Sacrament, a viewpoint which I subscribe to. But, given our past discussions on the topic, I know you disagree with that, and there's no point in arguing over it again.