All Vatican personnel involved in supporting the upcoming papal conclave will take an oath of secrecy — under penalty of automatic excommunication.

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.

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.

The nine-day mourning period following the death of Pope Francis officially ended on Sunday with a ceremonial Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. The Vatican began its traditional “novemdiales” on April 26,

Bergoglio was also the first Pope from Latin America, and the first Jesuit. He chose not to live in the Papal residence in the Vatican, opting for a guest house instead. He spoke