In this June 29, 2021, file photo, Pope Francis salutes from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's square at the Vatican, as he recites the Angelus prayer. The Vatican has detailed laws, rituals and roles to ensure the transfer of power when a pope dies or resigns. Even though Pope Francis is recovering from intestinal surgery in a Rome hospital, he is still very much in charge. AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File ROME (AP) â The Vatican has detailed laws, rituals and roles to ensure the transfer of power when a pope dies or resigns. But none of them apply when he is sick or even unconscious, and there are no specific norms governing what happens when a pope becomes incapacitated.