Veiled threat

The Tanaiste, Mary Harney, meets the Pope at Castel Gandolfo, his summer residence, after the Angelus tomorrow. On a five-day promotional visit to Milan and Rome with Minister of State, Tom Kitt, for Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, she will brief the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Sodano, today on recent developments in the North and on the political situation in Ireland generally. She will also have a tour of the Holy See. What Quidnunc wants to know, however, is will the Tanaiste cover her head at the private papal audience? Or are we in for another Mary Robinson-style mantilla row?