New Chief Justice

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 - John G. Roberts Jr. was confirmed as the 17th chief justice of the United States today in a formality that intensified speculation over who will be President Bush's next Supreme Court nominee.

The Senate confirmed the nominee by a vote of 78 to 22, with unanimous support from Republicans and with half the Democrats voting for him as well. He was sworn in at the White House this afternoon by Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens amid expectations that the president will announce his next choice for the court very soon.