From his experience as a cardinal in Communist Poland, he knew he could not involve himself with politics overtly. So, rather than call for freedom from communism, he preached religious freedom. That way, his message could not be said to challenge communist governments directly.

Though the totalitarian regimes he opposed were strong, John Paul II told his followers "Be Not Afraid". When polish protestors were arrested by the Soviet regime, people around the world put a candle in their windows to show their support. John Paul II did the same.