You have a point about Mahoney not doing anything John Paul II did not do; in fact, Cardinal Mahoney returned a favor received by the late Pope in Echmiadzin.
John Paul's celebrity status is simply a reflection of love many people, and many non-Catholics, felt for him. Which is the best ecumenical policy. Also, it is degrading to simply call him a celebrity because he was a celebrity with, and because of, substance.
If a man is loved and venerated by worldlings its because he is seen as one of their own; the embodiment of all they hold dear. Scripture and Tradition as they are interpreted and taught by the Catholic Church are anathema to the world which hates any mention or suggestion that submitting to Her, and the Pope they "love" so much is in their best interest.
They loved him for the same reasons they loved Princess Di. He was a permanent fixture, in the news alot, offered no resistance to or rejection of any set of beliefs...well, except one...but, in sum, its easy to love a person if that person makes you feel good about who you are. That would all be well and good, the Pope's job isn't seeing to the improvment of self-esteem. It's seeing to the salvation of souls.