PITTSBURGH -- With the passing of Mayor Bob O'Connor, City Council President Luke Ravenstahl became Pittsburgh's new mayor late Friday night.

Ravenstahl, 26, of the North Side, took the oath during a small ceremony at the City-County Building downtown.

"It is difficult to find the proper words to express our emotions at this time," Ravenstahl said. "Bob O'Connor was our beloved friend and colleague. His actions, deeds and accomplishments serve as a model to all of us."

Related: Read Ravenstahl's Entire Statement

Ravenstahl has ordered the city flag at all city locations to be flown at half-staff.

Ravenstahl is the city's 59th mayor and its youngest leader ever. He must give up his council seat, and the council will elect a new president.

Ravenstahl took office in the City Council's District 1 in January 2004 and became council president on Dec. 6, 2005.

A graduate of North Catholic High School and Washington and Jefferson College, Ravenstahl lives in the city's Summer Hill neighborhood. He has a wife, Erin.

According to the city charter, a mayoral vacancy "shall be filled at the next election permitted by law." Until that time, the council president serves as mayor.

Under the most common interpretation of that rule, the next election would be the 2007 municipal election. The winner would take office immediately and serve the remainder of the term until 2009.

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