UPDATE 1-Trump intends to nominate Judge Amy Coney Barrett to Supreme Court, CNN reports

(Adds background on nominee and nomination process)

WASHINGTON, Sept 25 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump intends to nominate conservative federal appeals court judge Amy Coney Barrett to fill the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court following the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, CNN reported on Friday, citing Republican sources.

Trump has said he would announce on Saturday his choice to replace Ginsburg, the liberal icon who died on Sept. 18.

Barrett, 48, was appointed by Trump to the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2017 and is known for her conservative religious views.

If confirmed, Trump's nominee would give conservatives a commanding 6-3 majority on the court at a time of intense political divisions in the United States.

Barrett has been viewed as a frontrunner throughout, along with fellow federal appeals court judge Barbara Lagoa.

Trump's nominee has what appears to be a clear path to Senate confirmation before the Nov. 3 presidential election, with Republicans holding a 53-47 majority and only two senators in his party indicating opposition to moving forward with the process. (Reporting by Lawrence Hurley and Mohammad Zargham; Editing by Eric Beech and Will Dunham)