Lack of prayer turns God's word into philosophical idea, says Pope Francis

Without spiritual courage and a love for Jesus, the word of God will be proclaimed as just "a good, philosophical or moral idea," Pope Francis said.

A preacher "may say something interesting -- something moral, something that will make you feel good, a philanthropic good -- but there is no word of God," the Pope said during Mass in the chapel of Domus Sanctae Marthae.

In his homily February 14, the feast of Ss Cyril and Methodius, Pope Francis said the world needed missionaries and "brave heralds" of the Gospel like the two great evangelists and co-patron saints of Europe.