By Elisabetta Povoledo Jason Horowitz and Emma Bubola Reporting from Rome and Vatican City The death of Pope Francis last month at the age of 88 set off grief and mourning around the world — along with a complex process to find a successor.

The Sistine Chapel has been decked out to host a papal election as cardinals from around the globe moved into a Vatican guest house before the conclave to choose Pope Francis’ successor. The magnificence of Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes now vaults above more mundane rows of stackable chairs and desks marked with simple place-settings listing the surnames of the cardinal electors.

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

Cooks and cleaners as well as maintenance and medical staff joined members of the Vatican's clergy on Monday (May 5) to take an oath of secrecy ahead of the upcoming papal conclave. Could cells grow food for astronauts on long missions in space?

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.