Mormon church President Gordon Hinckley passed away Sunday
WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (AP) -- Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is among those mourning the death of Mormon church President Gordon Hinckley, who died Sunday at the age 97.
At a campaign stop in Florida Monday morning, Romney called Hinckley a man of "great character and courage" and said he plans to attend his funeral in Salt Lake City.
The former Massachusetts governor says Hinckley was pleased about his quest to become America's first Mormon president. Romney recalls Hinckley telling him the campaign "would be a great experience" whether he won or lost. Romney is running near the top of polls heading into Tuesday's GOP primary in Florida.
Hinckley led the Mormon church for more than a dozen years and oversaw one of its greatest periods of expansion. The church grew from 9 million to 13 million members under his leadership.
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