Mmm, I have to disagree on the martyr status. John Paul II was a great man and is a great saint without the crown of martyrdom - to award it for the assassination attempt when he died a quarter-century later seems, to me, to blur the line to an unnecessary degree. He sacrificed his life to his ministry, as any good priest does, but he wasn't killed for his faith or belief in God.

I think many people would criticize the decision to name him a martyr, and it would be a shame to let a debate like that taint the legacy and public memory of such a great pope.