Angels are typically used by God as his messengers (see Luke 1:11–20, Luke 1:26–38; Luke 2:9–14). The angel is thus sent to give a message to Cornelius. In this case the presence of the angel serves to underscore the fact that it is God’s plan and initiative which brings about the conversion of the first Gentile.1
3 Vers la neuvième heure du jour, il vit clairement dans une vision un ange de Dieu qui entra chez lui, et qui lui dit: Corneille!