It’s a proud and prayerful moment for Guam as a son of Sinajana has made history at the heart of the Catholic Church.

Thirty-seven-year-old Father Cody Gerard Flores Merfalen, is the first CHamoru and American priest ever ordained by Pope Leo XIV, the Church’s first American pontiff.

The milestone ceremony took place on Saturday, May 31, at the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Basilica.

Father Cody is no stranger to Rome. He completed his entire priestly formation at the Vatican and holds a degree in Theology.

His calling is rooted in the island and as a proud graduate of Father Duenas Memorial School, Class of 2005, and the son of the late Gerard V. Merfalen and Angela Flores.

By his side during this sacred moment was his mother, Angela, and siblings Megan, Nicole, and Gerard as he was ordained among eleven new priests.

Father Cody celebrated his first mass on Sunday, June 1, in Rome, and now awaits his first official assignment.