Farley gives Pope Leo Hurricanes jersey, Tar Heel honor

On a recent personal trip to Rome, North Carolina Labor Commissioner Luke Farley presented Pope Leo XIV with a custom Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup championship jersey commemorating the team’s historic title and the Order of the Tar Heel, during a private audience on June 24 at the Vatican.

In an emailed statement to Carolina Journal on Wednesday, John Wesley Waugh, director of communications for the Department of Labor, said that although Farley was acting in his official capacity as the state’s labor commissioner, no taxpayer funds were used as this was a personal trip.

“The Order of the Tar Heel is the highest honor that the North Carolina Labor Commissioner can award,” Waugh said. “It recognizes individuals who have made a lasting impact through exceptional leadership, dedicated service, and meaningful contributions that strengthen communities and the workforce.”

The recognition highlighted Pope Leo XIV’s significance as the first American pope while also honoring his commitment to protecting workers around the world, including his advocacy that artificial intelligence should empower rather than replace workers.

Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence,” released on May 15, addresses one of the principal challenges of the contemporary age, according to Vatican News.

In it, he appeals for the safeguarding of humanity, promotion of truth, dignity of work, social justice, and peace.

“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 press release. “North Carolina is proud to celebrate the Carolina Hurricanes for bringing the Stanley Cup home, and it was a special honor to present Pope Leo with a Hurricanes championship jersey commemorating this historic achievement.”

The custom jersey celebrates the Hurricanes’ championship season and reflects the pride of hockey fans across North Carolina.

Brian Fork, CEO of Hurricanes Holdings, LLC, said, “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 just a week after winning the Cup.”

The Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in six games, clinching the title with a 3-0 Game 6 win in Las Vegas on June 14. It was Carolina’s second Stanley Cup, their first since 2006.

Lawmakers in both chambers of the General Assembly honored the team for capturing its second championship in franchise history at a visit to the Legislative Building on June 23.

AI’s presence is growing in North Carolina.

State Treasurer Brad Briner announced in April that his department has integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into its daily workflow, following a successful 12-week pilot program with OpenAI last year.

On Wednesday, Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s North Carolina AI Leadership Council released the AI Strategic Roadmap, a guide with strategic goals and principles to address the potential impact of AI on how people live and work. 

“Farley gives Pope Leo Hurricanes jersey, Tar Heel honor” was originally published on www.carolinajournal.com.