The present invention provides a
hydrodesulfurization catalyst that exhibits a high desulfurization activity when used in hydrotreatment of
hydrocarbon oil, in particular straight-run gas oil. The catalyst includes at least one type of
metal component selected from Groups VIA and VIII in the
periodic table, supported on a silica-titania-
alumina support where the total of the
diffraction peak area indicating the
crystal structure of
anatase titania (101) planes and the
diffraction peak area indicating the
crystal structure of
rutile titania (110) planes is ¼ or less of the
diffraction peak area indicating the aluminum
crystal structure ascribed to γ-
alumina (400) planes, as measured by X-
ray diffraction analysis. The catalyst has (a) a specific surface area (SA) of 150 m2 / g or greater, (b) a total pore volume (PVo) of 0.30 ml / g or greater, (c) an average
pore diameter (PD) of 6 to 15 nm (60 to 150 Å), and (d) the ratio of the pore volume (PVp) of pores having diameters within ±30 percent of the average
pore diameter (PD) being 70 percent or greater of the total pore volume (PVo).