Katie Holmes sought support from Kidman

Katie Holmes reached out to Nicole Kidman for support as she planned her divorce from Tom Cruise.

The 33-year-old actress is said to have been offered a helping hand from Nicole - who split from Tom in 2001 after 10 years together - since the couple split late last month following five years of marriage.

A source told Us Weekly: ''They've spoken over the last few weeks. Nicole has been supportive, saying she's been through it too and to hang in there.

''Nicole offered her support and help.''

Nicole - who has two adopted children, Isabella, 19, and Connor, 17, with Tom - has been friends with Katie since 2006, when her ex-husband married the 'Dawson's Creek' star, but she is said to have been more of a ''private friend'' to the brunette beauty over the last few weeks.

The source added: ''She has been a private friend not many people know about.''

The couple - who have six-year-old daughter Suri - reached a private divorce settlement on Monday less than two weeks after they split.

Katie Holmes also signed a confidentiality agreement as part of her divorce settlement with Tom Cruise.

The terms are said to include the actress agreeing not to speak about her estranged spouse's personal life or his religion, Scientology.

A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ''Confidentiality was the key. If Katie hadn't signed up to remain silent it could have become a very messy legal battle.''

But the couple did release a joint statement earlier this week insisting they are ''committed'' to working on their daughter's ''best interests''.

They said: ''We are committed to working together as parents to accomplish what is in our daughter Suri's best interests. We want to keep matters affecting our family private and express our respect for each other's commitment to each of our respective beliefs and support each other's roles as parents.''

Representatives with both stars have insisted the details of their settlement will be kept under wraps, though it is believed Katie will get primary custody of their six-year-old daughter Suri, with Tom allowed visitation rights.

The welfare of the little girl was key to the pair resolving their split amicably and privately following initial speculation there would be a public court battle.

However, sources told website TMZ.com that despite ''palpable hostility'' between Tom and Katie, a series of conversations concerning fears Suri could be ''irreparably damaged'' by their separation meant they agreed to come to a quick resolution.

Meanwhile Katie has registered with a Catholic church in New York.

The actress appears to have formally confirmed her return to Catholicism by signing up as a member of the congregation of the Church of St. Francis Xavier.

One member of the church choir told the Huffington Post: ''Everyone is thrilled to have Katie join us. She has not yet attended a service, but when she does she will be welcomed with open arms.''

It has been widely speculated that Katie wanted to protect the couple's six-year-old daughter Suri from being exposed to Scientology, but Tom's lawyer Bert Fields is adamant religion played no part in the 33-year-old actress' decision to file for divorce from her husband.

He told RadarOnline: ''Let me be very clear about this. The Church of Scientology played absolutely no role in the divorce settlement talks at all. Period.

''The mere suggestion that the Church was involved in any element of the talks and ultimate settlement is categorically false. Anyone suggesting otherwise is just wrong (sic).''