MSNBC/AP report that Pope John Paul II is the favorite to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Why?

In addition to his popular stance against the U.S.-led war in Iraq, John Paul has also been outspoken in calling for an end to Israeli-Palestinian fighting.

Of course, unlike the Nobel Prizes for such endeavors as chemistry, physics, and economics–which tend to be given for actual merit–the peace prize has a long, sordid history.