NC labor commissioner presents Pope Leo XIV with Hurricanes jersey, state honor

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — North Carolina Labor Commissioner Luke Farley presented Pope Leo XIV with a custom Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup championship jersey and the Order of the Tar Heel during a recent visit to Vatican City.

According to the North Carolina Department of Labor, the presentation recognized Pope Leo XIV as the first American pope and acknowledged his advocacy on issues affecting workers, including his statements that artificial intelligence should be used to support workers rather than replace them.

“It was an honor to meet with Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City, where I had the privilege of presenting him with the Order of the Tar Heel as a symbol of North Carolina’s gratitude for his lifelong example of service, faith and leadership,” Farley said in a news release.

The Order of the Tar Heel is the highest honor awarded by the North Carolina commissioner of labor.

Farley also presented the pope with a personalized Carolina Hurricanes jersey commemorating the team’s Stanley Cup championship.

The Hurricanes defeated the Edmonton Oilers to win the franchise’s second Stanley Cup title and first since 2006.

“We were proud to bring the Stanley Cup home to Raleigh and are thrilled that Commissioner Farley had a chance to share a piece of North Carolina with Pope Leo by presenting him with a personalized Hurricanes jersey,” Hurricanes Holdings CEO Brian Fork said in the release.

State officials said the presentation was intended to recognize Pope Leo XIV’s leadership while sharing a symbol of North Carolina’s recent championship season.