The priest with responsibility for Bracciano has said that whatever ceremony Cruise and Holmes have, it cannot be Catholic because Cruise is divorced and does not have parish permission.

"Cruise is divorced," Monsignor Nicola Fiorentini told Italian media. "Even if the actor were not divorced, another fundamental requirement to validate the rite would be missing: the authorization of the parish."

Wedding-watchers have also cautioned that if the couple go ahead with a Scientology ceremony alone, the Italian state is not likely to recognize it. The Church of Scientology was formed by the late American science-fiction novelist L. Ron Hubbard.

The red tape and the naysayers haven't quelled the excitement around the 15th century Castello Odescalchi, which has hosted a pope and kings.

"It's a wonderful thing because it will bring back to life this dead countryside," local pensioner Maria Rosati said.