Katie Holmes (R) arrives at the European premiere of the movie 'The Day After Tomorrow' in London, in this May 26, 2004. (AP/file photo)

    BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhuanet) -- Tom Cruise has a new girlfriend ¡ª actress Katie Holmes.

    Cruise's publicist and sister Lee Anne DeVette confirmed the romance today. She says the 42-year-old Cruise and 26-year-old Holmes have been dating for a few weeks.

    The pair were photographed this week together in Rome, where Cruise on Friday will receive a lifetime achievement award at the Italian equivalent of the Academy Awards, the David di Donatello Awards.

    Cruise has starred in such films as "Rain Man," "Jerry Maguire" and the upcoming Steven Spielberg remake of "War of the Worlds."

    Holmes is best known for starring in the T-V show "Dawson's Creek," and the movies "Wonder Boys" and "Pieces of April." She will co-star with Christian Bale in this summer's "Batman Begins."

    Cruise's last long-term girlfriend was actress Penelope Cruz, 30. The couple split up in January 2004 after three years.

    Cruise and Nicole Kidman, 37, were divorced in 2001.

Click for larger view of Katie

    (Agencies)