A heavy oil hydrorefining catalyst of the present invention is such that the total volume of pores with a diameter of 60 nm or less is at least 0.5 mL/g, and the pore diameter distribution has a broad band over a pore diameter range of 8 to 30 nm. The hydrorefining catalyst has excellent desulfurization characteristics and excellent demetalization characteristics, and its performance can be maintained over an extended period. When this catalyst is used in a hydrorefining apparatus equipped with a plurality of catalyst layers, the apparatus can be operated stably at a higher temperature than in the past without decreasing the desulfurization performance, and this also enhances the demetalization characteristics.