Vatican officials pondered the conundrum of whether to grant a Roman Catholic wedding to a divorced celebrity and prominent Scientologist, amid feverish speculation yesterday over Tom Cruise’s imminent marriage to Katie Holmes — somewhere in Italy.

Latest reports suggest that the 44-year-old star will marry Holmes, 27, at a medieval castle overlooking Lake Bracciano, north of Rome, at the end of next week.

But wherever the nuptials are held, the issue preoccupying Rome is the schedule.

After a pre-wedding party with other Hollywood celebrities on November 16, a Catholic wedding ceremony is planned for November 17.

A “final ritual” is planned for the next day, to be conducted by members of the Church of Scientology.

It was partly Cruise’s support for Scientology that got him dropped by Paramount in August, and though he has recently been appointed by MGM to help to relaunch the United Artists studio, there are those who feel that a wedding ceremony in the heart of Roman Catholicism would further help the actor to restore his image; his bride-to-be was born a Roman Catholic and went to Catholic schools.

One Vatican official said that if the priest conducting the ceremony thought Catholic rites would be beneficial, he could overlook the fact that there would be a Scientology ceremony the next day.

Other Vatican sources said that Cruise’s divorce, and his belief in Scientology, could prove an obstacle to a Catholic ceremony.