PURPOSE: To obtain a catalyst for purification of waste gases having high activity and heat resistance by impregnating a wash coated catalyst deposited with palladium with cerium and calcining the same.

CONSTITUTION: After a catalyst carrier wash-coated with alumina slurry sol or the like is impregnated and deposited with palladium, it is impregnated with soluble cerium salt or cerium hydroxide sol and is calcined, whereby a palladium catalyst is obtained. This palladium catalyst has high activity and heat resistance, and since it has NOx removing ability as well, it is useful as a three element catalyst for waste gases from internal combustion engines.