Heads of state and government have been arriving in Rome for tomorrow's funeral of Pope John Paul II.
More than 200 are to attend the funeral, creating what has been described as a security nightmare for local authorities.
The Irish delegation, led by President McAleese, has arrived in Rome. Accompanying the President are the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, Tánaiste Mary Harney, and the leader of Fine Gael, Enda Kenny.
A no fly zone is in force and Rome's second airport has been closed to commercial flights.
The city has already been overwhelmed by the arrival of well over a million pilgrims, a number that is expected to rise.
Italian authorities are urging pilgrims who have arrived in Rome to stay away from the city centre because it cannot cope with the growing number of visitors.
A senior security official said that the ceremonies will be shown on video screens on the outskirts of the city centre.
Annan wants Pope's legacy preserved
Separately in Geneva, the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, has called on the 53 member states in the UN's Human Rights Commission to preserve the Pope's legacy.
'Even as we mourn his loss, I hope all of us who are concerned with human rights can pledge ourselves to preserve those aspects of his legacy,' said Mr Annan, who is also due to attend tomorrow's funeral.
Zimbabwe's President, Robert Mugabe, defied EU sanctions when he arrived in Rome this morning for the funeral.
The Vatican has not imposed sanctions, and under the 1929 Concordat with Italy, visitors to the Vatican are never prevented from landing.
In another development, China has said it will not be sending a representative to the ceremony in protest at the presence of Taiwan's President, Chen Shui-bian.
Tomorrow's funeral will be broadcast live on RTÉ Radio One and RTÉ One Television.
Coverage on radio will begin at 8.45am and on television at 8pm.
Preparations are also being finalised for tomorrow's sunset Commemorative Service for the Pope at the Papal Cross in the Phoenix Park.
The Service will be begin at 6.30pm and will be led by Auxiliary Bishop Eamon Walsh. The Dublin Archdiocese has stressed that people of all faiths are welcome.
Find out about the process of electing a new Pope here.
