Pope Francis encouraged environmental protections on Sunday, highlighting the “beauty” revealed after coronavirus lockdowns reduced pollution. 

“The lockdown has reduced pollution and revealed once more the beauty of so many places free from traffic and noise. Now, with the resumption of activities, we should all be more responsible for looking after our common home,” Francis said during an address in St. Peter’s Square, Reuters reported. 

Francis’s comments follow the Vatican’s call a few days earlier for Catholics to divest from fossil fuels. 

The 225-page encyclical, which is sent to all bishops within the church, reportedly argued people “could do positive changes … by excluding from their investments companies that do not satisfy certain parameters.” 

Francis has urged action on climate change in the past. 

“Time is running out. Deliberations must go beyond mere exploration of what can be done and concentrate on what needs to be done from today onward,” he told a group of oil executives gathered at the Vatican last year.

“We do not have the luxury of waiting for others to step forward or of prioritizing short-term economic benefits. The climate crisis requires our decisive action, here and now,” he said.