I think things were at a different stage back then. We had a variety of things going on, but even then, far less than it was later. I give him a pass on that, since I believe his thought was to embrace moderate muslims.
We have since come to understand that it is one of two things that cause this to fail: There either are no moderate muslims, or those who are moderate are completely cowed by the devout/radical muslims and cannot be counted on.
I agree with your point about the different circumstances that Pope John Paul confronted as to Muslims, but his articulations on the issue lacked the cautionary qualifications and historical depth that popes customarily bring to their duties. Consequently, Pope Francis has portrayed his public statements as being simply an extension of what his illustrious predecessor offered. In any event, under either pope, it is hard to see the Vatican’s approach as a success in that it has failed to alleviate the persecution of Christians in Muslim lands but, by supporting Muslim immigration into Europe, has introduced the prospect of Muslim oppression in the Christian heartland.