Weeks after Mitt Romney tried to put questions about his Mormon faith to rest with his landmark "Faith in America" speech, the spotlight switched again Saturday from the GOP presidential candidate's real-world credentials to his religious beliefs as he and family members attended the funeral of Mormon leader Gordon B. Hinckley.

Romney attended the Salt Lake City funeral with his wife Ann and two of their sons, along with thousands of other Mormon mourners. Hinckley died Sunday at age 97, making him the oldest leader of the 13-million-member Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Romney took valuable time off from the campaign trail to attend the funeral. With only three days to go until Super Tuesday Feb. 5, polls showed the former Massachusetts governor falling behind rival John McCain and fighting to remain competitive. But Romney said Friday that he needed to pay his respects to Hinckley.

"I got the chance to see President Hinckley from afar, and respected him as a man of great character and courage and humility and the common touch," Romney said in Denver. "And he's a man I respect a great deal, and I want to pay my respects to his family and acknowledge the importance of his life in my own life."

Romney said Hinckley advised him before running for the Republican presidential nomination that the race would be a "great experience," win or lose.

Romney attempted to settle questions about his faith during a speech in Texas in early December, saying his faith would inform his presidency but not direct it. He's since focused much of his stump time on highlighting his economic credentials and history in the private sector.

Politicians from a host of western states also attended the Hinckley funeral, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., also a Mormon.

There was no mention of Romney during the 90-minute service. But when he entered the conference center mourners surrounded him and shook his hand.

Mormon church leader M. Russell Ballard said he was touched Romney paused to attend.

"It's a wonderful thing that he would have such affection for the president of the church in this very hectic time, he would take a pause in his campaign effort to come and pay respects to the president of the church," Ballard said.

Romney was to campaign in Minnesota later in the day.

FOX News' Shushannah Walshe and The Associated Press contributed to this report.