As I sit in my Mill Valley office, the morning sun casting gentle rays through the redwoods, my heart is filled with profound gratitude and hope. The recent inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born leader of the Catholic Church, is a momentous occasion that resonates deeply with me—not just as a devout Catholic, but as someone who believes in the transformative power of faith.
Embracing a Historic Moment
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, brings a unique blend of American roots and global perspective to the papacy. His years of missionary work in Peru and his leadership within the Augustinian order have shaped a vision centered on unity, compassion, and humility. During his inaugural Mass at St. Peter’s Square, attended by over 200,000 faithful, Pope Leo spoke of love, peace, and dignity in a world too often divided by hostility and indifference.
His message is not only timely—it’s timeless. It reminds us that peace starts within and that faith is not a passive belief but a daily practice of kindness and moral courage.
American Roots, Global Mission
As an American, Pope Leo represents a fresh and hopeful perspective for the Catholic Church. While his faith transcends borders, there’s something quietly powerful about knowing the leader of our global Church understands the rhythms of American life—our challenges, our aspirations, and our cultural complexity.
There’s a resilience in the American spirit—a belief in second chances, a willingness to wrestle with imperfection, and an instinct to reach for something higher. I see those same values reflected in Pope Leo’s call for compassion without compromise, for truth spoken with tenderness.
The Role of Faith in Everyday Life
In our fast-paced, often fragmented world, it’s easy to become disconnected—from each other, from our communities, and from our spiritual foundations. Yet, it’s precisely during these times that faith becomes our anchor. It reminds us of our shared humanity and the divine love that binds us all.
Pope Leo’s call for unity is not just a message for Catholics—it’s a universal plea for empathy. He urges us to look beyond our differences and see the sacred in each other. He reminds us that we are not meant to go it alone. Faith gives us a compass, a quiet strength, and a lens through which we can see the world—and each other—with grace.
Mill Valley: Where Spirit and Simplicity Meet
Living and working in Mill Valley, I’ve come to appreciate how our little town mirrors so many of these values. There’s a spiritual current that flows here—whether it’s in the hush of the trees at Mount Tam, the stillness of a foggy morning, or the warmth of a neighbor checking in just because.
Here, faith might not always wear a name tag. It might come through a daily hike, a shared meal, or an unexpected moment of beauty. But I see it everywhere—in the simplicity of how people care for one another and in the quiet strength of a community that believes in something greater.
Peace Through Faith, Not Perfection
Peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it’s a state of inner calm rooted in trust. And trust is what we find when we turn to faith. That trust is what carries us when things don’t go as planned. It keeps us tender when the world feels harsh. It invites us to forgive, to listen, and to extend grace, even when it’s hard.
When we veer away from our faith, we risk becoming rigid, self-centered, and, at times, unknowingly harsh. We lose touch with what softens us—the mercy, the patience, the wonder. The further we move from our spiritual core, the more easily we forget our interconnectedness.
A Small Story with a Big Message
Years ago, I treated a patient who was going through something incredibly difficult. She came in with tooth pain, but it was clear from her eyes that something deeper was hurting. We talked—not just about crowns or fillings—but about life. And at the end of that visit, she quietly said, “You reminded me that I’m not alone.”
That moment has never left me. It had nothing to do with dentistry, really. It had everything to do with presence, with being grounded in something that transcends the transaction of a dental visit. That’s what faith gives us—the ability to show up fully, to be present with each other in our humanity.
Faith in the Age of Distraction
We live in a time when it’s easier than ever to be distracted—by screens, by headlines, by the pressure to do more, be more, produce more. It’s no surprise that so many people feel anxious, isolated, or even spiritually numb. But faith offers a counterbalance. It says, “Be still. Know that you are loved.”
I’ve seen how transformative it can be when people step away from the noise and create space for silence, for prayer, or for a walk that leads not just through nature but inward. Even five minutes of intentional quiet each day can shift our entire outlook.
The Power of Quiet Acts
Just last week, I watched a father gently tie his young daughter’s shoe while she chattered about her day. It was such a small moment—but I could feel the love radiating from it. That, too, is faith. Not just the recitation of prayers, but the living out of love in ways that are humble and unseen.
Faith doesn’t always need a spotlight. Often, it shows up most powerfully in quiet acts of patience, mercy, or generosity. When we honor these moments, we nurture something holy within ourselves.
A Gentle Call to Recenter
This isn’t a sermon—it’s a reflection. A moment to ask: Where is your faith today? Not in a rigid, performative way—but in the way you speak to your spouse. In how you forgive your friend. In the way you sit in silence or care for someone without expecting anything in return.
As Pope Leo XIV begins his papal journey, I believe he brings not just new leadership, but a renewed reminder that faith is not about perfection—it’s about orientation. Where are we pointed? Who are we trying to become?
Let’s take his message to heart. Let’s return to our faith not out of fear, but out of love. Let’s use it to build bridges, to soften sharp edges, and to bring a little more peace to a world that desperately needs it.
With warmth and blessings,
Dr. Frances H. Yankie, DDS
