How do you beat Lucifer in Dante`s Inferno?

OK, so i`m playing on the easiest difficulty, and i`v read in guides that u have to stun him with the Holy Cross. But this doest `t really work, because it hurts me more than it hurts him for some reason. Also, once i get close, he wrecks me with his makeshift sword and then when i`m far, he pounds the ground like 10 times, depleting a ton of health.I`m not bad at gaming or nothing, but this is like the hardest boss i`v ever had to face. Can anyone give me good tips?