Justice Elena Kagan officially joined the eight other justices on the U.S. Supreme Court, Friday.

A ceremony was held behind close doors, but 50-year-old Kagan did walk down the Supreme Court steps with Chief Justice John Roberts.

Analysts say her appointment shouldn't change the balance of the court. She is replacing Justice John Paul Stevens.

Kagan, the former U.S. Solicitor General, is the third woman on the current court and President Obama's second appointment to the bench.

The new court term starts Monday, Oct. 4.

One of the first cases the justices will hear will deal with the controversial Westboro Baptist Church and whether they should be allowed to protest at military funerals.