In a Papal motu proprio released Friday, Traditionis Custodes, Pope Francis cracked down on the spread of the old Latin Mass, reversing one of Pope Benedict XVI’s signature decisions in a major challenge to traditionalist Catholics.

Pope Francis, 84, issued a new law requiring individual bishops to approve celebrations of the old Mass, also called the Tridentine Mass, and requiring newly ordained priests to receive explicit permission to celebrate it from their bishops, in consultation with the Vatican.

The pontiff said he was taking action because Benedict’s reform had become a source of division in the Church and been exploited by Catholics opposed to the Second Vatican Council, but ironically many traditional Catholics saw the move as a way to further divide the Church.

The move may drive more people out of Vatican II-only parishes into ones under the Society of St. Pius X, which has seen tremendous growth in the last few years.

Bishops were quick to react to the motu proprio, which is an official act taken without a formal request from another party.

At a Traditional Latin Mass held at the chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Covington, Louisiana, New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond reassured congregants that while Pope Francis had put more requirements on the Latin Mass, he did not prohibit it and the seven parishes that celebrate the Tridentine Mass in the archdiocese will continue to do so.

In Louisiana as well as other places around the world, the Traditional Latin Mass has been the only growing liturgy within the church, especially during the COVID pandemic.

Critics said they had never before witnessed a pope so thoroughly reversing his predecessor.