Catalytic combustion of benzene and methane over palladium catalysts supported on FAU and MOR zeolites and MCM-41 and KIT-1 mesoporous materials were studied to illustrate the effect of pore size and shape of supports on their catalytic activities. The palladium catalysts supported on mesoporous materials showed high activity and a steep increase in the conversion of benzene with rising temperature. The low activity of palladium catalysts supported on FAU zeolite was ascribed to mass transfer limitation. However, conversion profiles of methane on palladium catalysts were similar, although their supports were different as zeolites and mesoporous materials. The catalytic behavior of palladium catalysts in the combustion of benzene and methane was explained by the diffusion properties of fuels in the pores of zeolites and mesoporous materials. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.