Britain's Official Solicitor is expected to decide early this week whether to appeal a High Court decision to separate Siamese twins and let one die.
A report in the Sunday Times yesterday said the Vatican may offer the parents of the twins the chance to take their babies to Rome to die.
The Official Solicitor, Mr Jim Baker, who is representing the twin who would die, said he is considering an appeal.
"This is a tragic and complex case", he said. "Mindful of the feelings of the parents in particular and of the anxiety of the doctors in relation to the health of both girls, the Official Solicitor has concluded that he needs to take time to decide whether to seek the permission of the court of appeal to take matters further."
The Official Solicitor provides representation for minors or adults under legal disability in court proceedings in England and Wales. Sources said that a decision would probably be taken early this week. A High Court judge gave surgeons permission to separate the twins, Jodie and Mary, on Friday, against the wishes of their parents.
Jodie and Mary, false names used by the judge to preserve their anonymity, were born on August 8th, and are joined by their lower abdomens. Jodie is a bright and alert child, but her twin relies on her for heart and lung function and lives only because she is attached to her sister.
The parents came to Britain from a remote community in Europe to have their children after it was realised they were conjoined and there was a lack of medical facilities in their own country.