SAN DIEGO — The death of Mormon church President Gordon B. Hinckley renews attention on Mitt Romney's little-known religion — yet rather than being reluctant to discuss it, he's making a public embrace that shows some shifting political attitudes.

Two months ago, questions about Mormonism had grown so distracting that Romney went to the George Bush Presidential Library in Texas to outline his views about politics and religion in U.S. history and today's society. Even then, he uttered the word "Mormon" only once during his speech.

Two months later, with some state wins behind him — and evangelicals less of a force in more populous states — the former Massachusetts governor has focused on the country's ailing economy and his business background, which he argues makes him the most qualified to occupy the White House.

The death of Hinckley, and Romney's decision to attend his funeral on Saturday, underscores his connection to and stature within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at a pivotal time for him: He is reaching out to conservatives for their support after a series of high-profile wins and endorsements have boosted rival John McCain's campaign.

The difference now is that Romney approaches both his ongoing campaign and the funeral rites with less tension over his religion. Contests in Iowa and South Carolina, which both have significant evangelical voting blocs, are behind him.

The change was evident in the first public comments Romney made after learning of Hinckley's death on Sunday at age 97.

On Monday in Florida, little more than an hour after Romney was told Hinckley had died, he expressed his admiration for his religion's equivalent of the Pope. Romney also smiled at their personal interactions, and used his position as a prominent church member to pay tribute to the leader of his faith.

"We will miss him as a family, respect him as a man of great character and courage," he said.

Then, Romney went deeper.

The candidate reflected on Hinckley's efforts to expand church membership to about 13 million, to cultivate ties with mainstream reporters such as Mike Wallace of "60 Minutes" and to bridge any gulf with government leaders.

Such acts, Romney said, "distinguish him as one of the great leaders in our faith, and his effort to reach out across the world and to faraway lands and to build temples for our church is something which will also give him a legacy which will last many, many years indeed, and we will miss his leadership."

It was a personal moment, one of only a few seen so far from a candidate who favors a tightly controlled campaign operation, and who, while attending church most Sundays, always does so out of sight of his accompanying media entourage.