Nothing JPII or BXVI did stemmed that flow out the door, not of priests, religious, or lay people who just stopped going to mass every week, confession almost at all.  For 30 years they held the throne of Peter and had a major impact on thinking before that.  They left the problem unaddressed, the church floundering.  

JPII and BXVI were stuck in a particular definition to how the practice of the faith just had to be.  The world changed around them - not of itself an evil change, just a change.  The ground under them changed and they were unable to adapt. 

I think JPII's idea to not allow priests who left to marry was ridiculous and manipulative.  What, hold them hostage with guilt because he didn't know what to do otherwise?