Ten years after the Second Vatican Council the novel Die Vision des Papstes: Erzählung was published simultaneously by Catholic and Protestant publishers under the pseudonym ‘Sebastian Knecht’. The author of the work was the former official observer of the Protestant Church of Germany (EKD) to the Council, the Heidelberg professor Edmund Schlink, who retired in 1972. The fact of his authorship was known only by a few friends prior to his death; following the death of her husband Mrs Irmgard Schlink revealed the pseudonym. Thus today, one may first examine the historical reasons why Schlink wrote the book. Further, its theological content makes possible a clearer view of the strengths and problems of the particular way to the unity of the Church Schlink recommends in the story. Finally, the effect of the work raises the question if it was meaningful to suggest a solution to ecumenical problems by means of belles lettres.

In his book A Life of Jesus Shusaku Endo talks of Jesus' compassion for those who were suffering in terms of his ‘suffering with them, carrying their burdens with them, becoming an eternal companion for them’. In several of his novels this understanding of Christ as one who suffers alongside humanity is given extraordinary dramatic power. The image of eternal companion is not explicitly discussed but it seems to underlie many of the themes which Endo employs, providing a remarkably versatile vehicle for his creative exploration of how God's power in Christ can transfigure human lives, bringing the possibility of hope and re-creation.