In Italy, poverty is losing its exceptional and transient character and assuming the appearance of a "structural normality". This is the dramatic picture painted by the new report "Poverty in Italy according to Caritas Network data", which shows the highest ever figure for aid in our nation. In 2025, the network served 282,539 people, or the same number of families, representing a 1.7% growth over the previous year. The data, gathered from over 3,500 services in 206 dioceses, show that 52% of those aided had minor children, demonstrating that families with children continue to be the predominant recipients of assistance. Caritas' efforts have totaled more than 4.8 million interventions, with an emphasis on basic necessities such as food and clothes (3.6 million), as well as housing, healthcare, and counseling services. One of the most concerning developments is the rise in poverty among the elderly: in the last decade, the number of people over the age of 65 who receive care has climbed by 191%. This figure is linked to an increase in loneliness, with the number of single people rising from 23.8% to 32.9%, frequently as a result of crucial events like loss or separation. Along with the increasing health and psychological demands (+69%), the Report expresses major concerns about the problem of the "working poor". While over half of individuals needing care are unemployed, 24% are employed, but this does not guarantee adequate means for a dignified living (just 13.3% 10 years ago). Wage insecurity is particularly prevalent among middle-aged workers, accounting for more than 31% of those aged 35 to 54. Finally, the housing situation remains critical: in addition to the serious homelessness emergency (nearly 24,000 individuals have been displaced), the mounting challenges in handling routine expenses such as rent and electricity are weighing heavily on families' stability and future.