Midnight Mass Explained
3. The "Angel"
When Monsignor Pruitt got lost in Damascus, he stumbled upon a cave in the desert. Inside he encountered a winged creature which fed upon his blood and made him youthful by feeding him his own.
From its monstrous appearance and appetite for blood, this creature matches our understanding of a vampire, a creature of darkness. But to Pruitt, this being is an angel sent by God.
Believing this terrifying creature to be an angel may seem like a huge lapse in judgement, especially for a priest. But amazingly Pruitt's beliefs aren't completely unfounded.
As he explains throughout the season, the Bible notes that angels are known to frighten every human they encounter. They must tell them not to be afraid before they bestow their gifts upon them. And this is precisely what this "Angel" does.
From the events that transpire it becomes clear that this creature is no angel. By subverting religious iconography, Flanagan not only questions how divine angels are, but illustrates how easily faith can blind people to the evil that's in front of them.
While Pruitt realises this truth too late, Bev continues to use her faith to justify her horrific actions.