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RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The latest recipient of the Order of the Tar Heel award resides all the way in Vatican City.
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In a news release sent Wednesday morning, North Carolina Labor Commissioner Luke Farley said he was able to present Pope Leo XIV with the Order of the Tar Heel award during his meeting with him in Vatican City.
The labor commissioner said the award recognizes the pope’s significance as the world’s first American pope, along with his commitment to protecting workers around the world.
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“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,” said Farley.
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In addition to the Order of the Tar Heel award, the pope was also gifted a custom Carolina Hurricanes championship jersey. The North Carolina Department of Labor said the jersey represents 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.”
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