Abstract: A process for combustion of fuel in which oxygen-containing gas is mixed with a fuel to form a combustible mixture which is then contacted in a first zone with a first zone combustion catalyst comprising PdO disposed on a support at reaction conditions sufficient to combust a portion of the fuel and produce a first zone combustion catalyst temperature no greater than about 800.degree. C. The partially combusted fuel from the first zone is then contacted in a second zone with a second zone combustion catalyst. Supports for the first zone combustion catalyst include La.sub.2 O.sub.3 -stabilized .gamma.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, La-stabilized .gamma.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, Ce-stabilized .gamma.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, Ba-stabilized .gamma.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and La.sub.2 0.sub.3 -11Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 hexa-aluminate. Second zone combustion catalysts include La.sub.0.5 Sr.sub.0.5 MnAl.sub.11 O.sub.19, PdO on La.sub.2 O.sub.3 -11Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 hexa-aluminate, and La.sub.0.2 Sr.sub.0.8 MnAl.sub.11 O.sub.19.