After 30 Years, Baby Born in Italy's 'Cat Village'; Sparks Hope Amidst Demographic Crisis

• Lara Bussi Trabucco was born in Pagliara dei Marsi, Italy, after 30 years, bringing joy to the 'cat village'.
• The village, once home to more cats than people due to migration, saw its last birth three decades ago.
• Lara's baptism attracted tourists, making the village known to many for the first time.
• Her birth offers a "ray of hope" for the emptying village, says Mayor Giuseppina Perozzi.
• Experts highlight Italy's broader demographic crisis, with record low birth rates (369,944 in 2024) and a 1.18 fertility rate.

Why It Matters: Lara's birth in Italy's 'cat village' offers hope but highlights the nation's severe demographic crisis.