A new Motu Proprio by Pope Benedict 16, issued prior to his resignation, allows the Cardinals to start the conclave earlier than March 15, but only if all the Cardinals are assembled. So it is still possible, even in my view likely, that the Conclave will start on or after March 15th.

How quickly will the Cardinals decide on a new Pope? I think they will decide within a few days. In the information age, all the papabile are well-known to the Cardinals, and a wealth of information on each one is readily available. I expect that most Cardinals will go to the conclave with a papabile or two already in mind.

Is the choice of a Pope by the Cardinals infallible? No, because it is not a teaching, but rather a judgment of the prudential order. The Cardinals are guided by grace and providence, but they also exercise free will, so it is not as if God alone chooses each Pope.

Ronald L. Conte Jr.