Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and President Mary McAleese will attend a service today in the Pro-Cathedral in Dublin in honour of Pope John Paul II.
Irish President Mary McAleese signs a book of condolence for Pope John Paul II at the Apostolic Nuncio Guiseppe Lazzarotto's residence on the Navan Road, Dublin today.
Government ministers and the Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny will join the pair at the Solemn Mass of Remembrance, which will be celebrated by the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, and Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Guiseppe Lazzarotto.
This evening's mass in the Pro-Cathedral is due to begin at 5.45pm.
President McAleese visited the Apostolic Nunciature on the Navan Road in Dublin to sign a book of condolence.
Ms McAleese paused to reflect before a picture of the Pope, as both she and her husband, Dr Martin McAleese, signed the book.
The President then spoke with the archbishop in his private residence.
As a steady stream of people came through, the Apostolic Nuncio said: "There were two schools here which was very nice, all the children coming to sign.
"Many of the public have been out to sign as well. Yesterday the Taoiseach and officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs were out. All the ambassadors have come and there are 55 in Dublin."
Josef Havlas, the Ambassador for the Czech Republic in Ireland, was one of many dignitaries who came to pay their respects.
Mr Havlas said: "He [the Pope] helped to raise the mind of the people to be brave under the pressure of the power from the east, the Communist regime.
Ian Carolan (29), from Blanchardstown, Dublin said: "He touched the hearts of the Irish people when he came here. I was four at the time, so I was left at home with my granny while everyone else went to greet him. It just felt right to come and sign the book."
Rosaleen Gaffney from the Navan Road in Dublin said: "I think we were very pleased to have had such a lovely holy man, a genuine person and a true man of the faith. I saw him in New Jersey and New York, it was wonderful just to meet him."
The Taoiseach has also signed the book and left a message of support on behalf of the Government. The Mansion House in Dublin has also opened a book of condolence.
On Thursday evening at 8pm in the Pro Cathedral, the Palastrina Choir and the Dublin Baroque Orchestra will perform Gabriel Faure's Requiem. This will be followed by Christus Factus Estby Bruckner, Miserereby Mozart and Regina Coeliby Aichinger.
On Friday evening, the Archdiocese of Dublin, at the request of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, will hold a public prayer service at the Papal Cross in Phoenix Park, Dublin.
The service, which will begin at 6.30pm, will have prayers and music to commemorate the life of Pope John Paul II.
Additional reporting: PA