Yes it can. The only thing you will start seeing is that any 32 Bit app will end with ":386". Here is an image to give you an idea:

As you can see, you ca try to install skype using the 32 bit version skype:i386). Same goes for pidgin and any other app that has a 32 bit version in a 64 bit system. Most apps do. If the 64 bit version is not available, they will most likely fallback to the 32 bit one.