Kiss...

Mr. Peabody here:
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Not really - it's just me.  But yeah, the photo of JPII kissing the Koran always confused me and I never heard a good explanation for it - to my knowledge Ven. John Paul II never explained his actions either.  I came across some explanations by others online, one by a priest where he kind of bends over backwards to explain what the Pope did.  He doesn't know.  I think it is better if all of us just admit we don't know why he did it and leave it at that. 
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We also must accept the fact that his action was a personal response and not a witness to anything else.  Popes make mistakes - not when they speak ex-cathedra on faith and morals of course, but sometimes their personal thoughts and actions and statements may not always line up exactly how we expect they should.  St. Peter was corrected by St. Paul - so we see the first Pope made mistakes as well.  I know people very devoted to Ven. John Paul cannot tolerate the least criticism against him - but that is their problem, not mine.  Fact is, when a fellow Christian is at best confused, at worst scandalized, that is serious business and those affected should not be dismissed - Paul had much to say about that as well.
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It happened.
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Stuff happens - stuff gets taken out of context - nevertheless there is nothing wrong with delving into things to satisfy one's conscience.  One of the mistakes we laymen and pop scholars make is that we fail to understand the Holy Father's spirituality and mysticism which formed the foundation for all of his actions.  I may be wrong, but I think everything he taught emanated from a deeply Johannine (of the Cross) mysticism.  Like Edith Stein, who penetrated the teachings of the Teresian charism, I'm convinced John Paul II completely realized in himself, for modern times, the teaching of St. John of the Cross, to the extent that JPII's life and papacy had been informed by light and love alone.  It would be good if a genuinely spiritual scholar could undertake an examination or study on the subject, and write an exposition upon this dynamic in the life of John Paul II.  (Perhaps it has been attempted already.)  As it is, many today extract specific teachings or actions of his, failing to understand the mysticism which formed his teaching and world view.
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I see his mysticism especially in his Marian devotion, lovingly expressed through the Mysteries of Light...  the mysteries of light - shinning in the darkness of faith. 
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Never accuse me of suggesting John Paul II was an apostate or anything less than a saint.  Great?  I don't know - history alone determines that - not contemporary devotees and religious goods merchandisers.  Can I ask questions regarding what he personally said or did?  Definitely.