Isabella,

Thanks for the question.

The Catholic Tradition does include a wide interpretation of the anti-Christ persona. It is essentially a figure who opposes Christ and the Kingdom of God, a tool of Satan. So this title has both a symbolic and specific correlation. Throughout history there have been many anti-Christs, such as some of the Roman emperors, like Nero in particular, and in more recent times, brutal figures like Hitler and Stalin.

There is also the idea that one figure, who has yet to emerge, will be the climactic adversary, yielding great power to deceive and ultimately corrupt people. Looking at the world today, it is easy to imagine such a figure emerging amidst the great darkness of the world to bring a promise of hope, but one that is false.

So we are called to:

• stay close to Christ in a state of grace at all times
• get to Confession regularly, and
• fix our eyes on God's promise which is not in this world.

Peace,

Bob Kirby