Reagan forged one of the greatest alliances with JPII to end the cold war by keeping The Soviet Union out of Poland during the Gdansk labor revolt.
That is true, and Ronnie deserves credit...but he would also be the first to acknowledge and celebrate that the overwhelming moral authority of the Polish Pope, in his pilgimage to his homeland, disarmed Jaruszelski and defeated the totalitarians without a shot being fired.
When the communists saw the tsunami of love and determination from his countrymen they knew they were licked, that neither Soviet tanks nor the gates of Hell could answer to the power represented by the Blessed JPII.