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The Pope is only considered infallible when speaking ex cathedra, and that has only occured once since the doctrine of Papal infallibility was codified - regarding the assumption of Mary. There are other teachings which are considered to also fall under the ex cathedra consideration, such as the immaculate conception, but the two that I have just mentioned are the only papal declarations in the past 200 years that are considered infallible.
Point being, just because something is different does not mean it goes against church teaching. It means it goes against the opinions of some people as to what church teaching should be. Vatican II is a prime example of this - many things the Bishops agreed on changed or altered previous church teachings. Priests not being able to marry is an entirely administrative decision with no theological reasoning. That does not mean that there is not an explanation, and you touched upon it - they are free to dedicate their full energies to the Church community. But there is no reason to not reassess the situation and decide if that decision is still the best for current times. Same goes for female priests. With new scientific evidence pointing toward a natural basis for homosexuality, the doors are wide open for change regarding that teaching as well. Just as the Church's teachings regarding creation were altered nearly 100 years ago when it became obvious that evolution had a sound basis in reality (the Catholic Church has long supported the likelihood of evolution), so too can the Church look toward the scientific evidence for a new understanding of the human condition and the place of homosexuality within it. Finally, the teaching regarding contraception is a rather dubious one as well. In 1966, the Papal Commission on Birth Control found 30-5 that the Church should no longer reject the use of birth control. The 5 dissenters did not do so primarily on theological grounds, but on the basis that, if the Pope changes the teaching, it would be in direct disagreement with a previous Pope and, therefore, undermine the Pope's authority. Pope Paul VI agreed. There was significant belief from within the Church that this stance was wrong in 1966, and I know that this is not something that has changed in recent times either.
So, there is no reason whatsoever to NOT reasses these and other topics, but this Pope will not do so. Vatican II called for the Bishops to have greater input in theological discussions, basically undermining the Pope's authority, and Pope John Paul II consistantly fought this idea. Now it is a Pope who not only will not act in the spirit of Vatican II's call for more collegiality, but who flat out disagrees with it and other progressive aspects of the council.
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Le temps détruit tout
"Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling
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