I too used to think it was etched in stone and was always like that until researching it. Chalk it up to poor catechesis I guess.
With that said though, it’s not going away. In theory it could, but the likelihood is exceedingly remote.
Wouldn’t be too sure about. There are already a large number of married Catholic priests in the world. Pope Francis has recently stated that the policy is not a dogma and is subject to change. We have a large number of married priests in our archdiocese, mostly converts from the Episcopalian Church. Pope John XXIII seemed to be very open to changing the policy. Popes Paul VI and John Paul II were very much opposed, although JPII did quietly permit married Episcopalian priests who converted over to remain married. It took the Church many centuries to implement its policy of compulsory clerical celibacy, and it will take a while to unwind it as it is no longer necessary. My guess is by osmosis, perhaps along with gradual reunification with the Orthodox Churches in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.