"The False Prophet is an apostate bishop or cardinal, or he resembles one. He usurps the papal supremacy. His assumed spiritual authority and supremacy over the Church would make him resemble the Bishop of Rome [a Bishop dressed in White we had the impression that it was the Holy Father]. Assuming authority without possessing it makes him the False Prophet."– Fr. Herman Bernard Kramer
In the vision of the Seer now appears a second beast rising out of the earth, having two horns like a lamb but speaking like a dragon. This beast is the prophet of Antichrist. In other places he is called the “False Prophet” (XVI. 13; XIX. 20). Antichrist will have a forerunner or prophet, who will prepare the way for him. It will undoubtedly be someone who has done great work of evil in the world so as to be especially fitted for the position. Many may have developed so evil a character as to be fit for such a job, but this one may be at the head of a strong world-power. Satan will not know long beforehand the time of these events, as he will not know when he shall be cast out of the Church. So choosing the False Prophet will be the work of Antichrist himself after he has made his own pact with Satan. This prophet may re-establish the pagan Roman Empire and build the “Great Harlot”, Babylon. He comes out of the earth, which is the term for the Gentile nations from which he springs.
He is briefly described. He has two horns; Antichrist has ten. These two horns might stand for two kings subject to him, if the phrase “like a lamb” were not added. That gives the horns a different significance. He may have two world-powers subject to himself; but the added phrase seems to intimate that he is an apostate bishop or cardinal, or he resembles one. The Church having fled from Rome after the murder of the pope leaves the papal chair vacant. This false prophet possibly at the behest of Antichrist usurps the papal supremacy and proposes himself as emperor of Rome. His assumed spiritual authority and supremacy over the Church would make him resemble the Bishop of Rome, and his temporal regency over the re-established empire would make him emperor of Rome. He would be Pontifex Maximus, a title of pagan Roman emperors, having supreme spiritual and temporal authority. Assuming authority without possessing it makes him the False Prophet. Does this allude to what our Lord said?
Though he poses as a lamb, a Christian, his doctrines betray him, for he preaches the doctrines of the dragon. His principles and dogmas to be accepted, his moral and civil law will be of diabolical inspiration. It may be communism or plain idolatrous paganism; it will comprise emperor-worship and devil-worship coupled with persecution of the true believers. They will know him at once as an impostor and will not be misled. He will be in league with the antichristian world-powers and adopt their principles of government and civil law. As spiritual head of his empire, he may declare it treason against the state to accept Christianity or the moral law of God. He will evidently do in his own empire what Antichrist will do in his, who as Daniel writes, “shall think himself able to change times and laws”.
Source: - The Book Of Destiny 1955, 1972 by Fr. Herman Bernard F. Leonard Kramer, Book II The Open Booklet, IV Description Of The Two Beasts , 4. The Beast Out Of The Earth. Verses 11-15, p. 318-319, pdf p. 319-320
"The False Prophet will be endowed with satanic powers to deceive the nations. He will probably set himself up in Rome as a sort of antipope during the vacancy of the papal throne." - Fr. Elwood Sylvester Berry, The Apocalypse of St. John, 1921, p. 135
"And we saw [...] a Bishop dressed in White ‘we had the impression that it was the Holy Father'" - Sr. Lucia, The Third Secret of Fatima released by the Vatican, 26 June 2000
vatican.va/…/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20000626_message-fatima_en.html