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. The employees took their oaths in the Papal Chapel.

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.

A papal conclave is set to begin in Vatican City starting May 7, during which cardinals from around the world will elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic church. The tradition occurs any time a pope dies or resigns from the office. Pope Francis died April 21, the day after Easter.

After a mass marking the end of nine days of mourning for Pope Francis, the Vatican is making the final preparations for the papal conclave which is set to begin on Wednesday. Reporting for TODAY, NBC’s Anne Thompson shares an inside look at the process for electing the next pope.