Cleaners and cooks. Doctors and nurses. Even drivers and elevator operators. All the support staff for the cardinals who will elect the successor to Pope Francis are taking an oath of secrecy on Monday ahead of the conclave that's starting on Wednesday.

Support staff for the cardinals who will elect Pope Francis' successor are taking an oath of secrecy on Monday before the conclave starts on Wednesday.

Everyone from cooks to translators to elevator operators took an oath of secrecy at the Vatican on Monday — under threat of automatic excommunication — to prepare for this week’s conclave. Workers and clerics assisting the dozens of Catholic cardinals set to gather Wednesday to begin voting on the next pope had to swear to never reveal anything about the proceedings or else risk the Church’s gravest punishment: religious banishment.