How was Pope John Paul II involved in the collapse of communism in 1991?

Answer 1

John Paul II was originally Polish. He provided great moral support for the Solidarity movement in Poland, which was the first (or one of the first?) grass roots anti communist groups of Eastern Europe.

Answer 2

Pope John Paul II was Polish and supported the Solidarity movement in Poland. Solidarity successfully helped bring down the Polish Communist government, but this was a symptom of bigger problems in the Communist countries. The Soviet Union's economic problems were such that it had difficulty enforcing its will in other Communist countries, including Poland.