By Regina Sienra on February 9, 2024

This cat is definitely Italian.

In many places, especially in small towns, it is common for people to greet everyone they come across, even those they don’t know. For one woman in Italy, this included saying hello to a cat in the street. But much to her surprise—and that of the world—the kitty replied, “buongiorno,” to her. Or so it seems.

The video, which has been shared across multiple social media platforms, shows a woman named Francesca cheerily says, “buongiorno,” to a cat named Paulo, who is seen eating his meal on the sidewalk. Without missing a beat, the kitty looks up from his plate and lets out a meow with the same rhythm and structure as the “buongiorno” he just heard. Did he simply know how to reply from all the time he has listened to that word? The woman is delighted, saying, “Did you just say, ‘Good morning’ to me?” and gets up close to the cat, who happily stretches and goes on with his day. The “buongiorno cat” has since gone viral and even become a meme, especially amongst Italians who have claimed Paulo as one of their own.[…]

More: Watch This Adorable Cat Say “Buongiorno” to a Woman in Italy