The organization of the universal Catholic Church has a precise hierarchy, but there is no such thing as a “vice pope,” who steps in when the reigning pontiff is traveling abroad, ill or under anesthesia.
Vatican has no automatic transfer of powers with pope in hospital
Pope makes promotions within the College of Cardinals
Pope Francis has expanded the ranks of the top members of the College of Cardinals, naming as “cardinal bishops” Cardinal Tagle and Cardinal Beniamino Stella, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy.