Yeah right, that’s why Paul had to set Peter straight and it was James who made the final decision in the council of Jerusalem.
No Peter made the final decision in Jerusalem. The assembly fell silent after he spoke. James spoke after Peter about some specifics, just as lawyers speak after CEOs make decisions.
Why weren’t the successors of Paul or James made popes if they held authority?
When I speak of the early church I am referring to non-biblical accounts made by historians in the the first century or so after our Lord died and rose again. Check those sources. Like the Didache.