BRASILIA, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Judge Kassio Nunes Marques took office on Thursday as the newest member of Brazil's 11-member Supreme Federal Court (STF).

He replaced Judge Celso de Mello, the dean of the court who announced his retirement on Oct. 13.

This is the first STF appointment made by President Jair Bolsonaro since he assumed power in January 2019.

President of the STF Luiz Fux praised Nunes Marques as having "an impeccable reputation ... encyclopedic knowledge and, above all, independence."

Nunes Marques, 48, must serve until 2047, when he will turn 75, the age at which the STF judges retire.