NOVELTY - The element comprises a support body defining inner channels. Walls of inner channels are partially coated by a mesoporous silica comprising Santa Barbara Amorphous-15 (SBA-15) and/or mesoporous silica (KIT-6) and by a palladium-based catalyst, which is partially dispersed on the silica. The support body comprises a chemically inert ceramic monolith made of cordierite with a honeycomb structure. The mesoporous silica defines pores having a mean diameter of 2-100 nm, and is characterized by a high degree of two- and/or three-dimensional crystalline order.    USE - The element is useful in a catalytic system for the catalytic oxidation of uncombusted methane in vehicles with natural gas powered engines (all claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The element enables the catalytic system to drastically reduce the emission levels of the natural gas at relatively low temperatures, and can be operated in an extremely wide range of temperatures. The catalytic system is chemically and mechanically durable system, permits the modified silica support and palladium to cooperate in a synergistic manner to achieve high yields of methane oxidation, and has improved mechanical and thermo-chemical resistance.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The element comprises a support body defining inner channels. Walls of inner channels are partially coated by a mesoporous silica comprising Santa Barbara Amorphous-15 (SBA-15) and/or mesoporous silica (KIT-6) and by a palladium-based catalyst, which is partially dispersed on the silica. The support body comprises a chemically inert ceramic monolith made of cordierite with a honeycomb structure. The mesoporous silica defines pores having a mean diameter of 2-100 nm, and is characterized by a high degree of two- and/or three-dimensional crystalline order. Inside the silica matrix, a percentage of silicon (IV) is exchanged with aluminum ions (III) so as to generate ionic charges in the matrix. The ratio of atoms of silicon and atoms of aluminum in the mesoporous matrix is 20. The amount of dispersed palladium is less than or equal to 1 wt.%. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface of the silica with the palladium-based catalyst is 700 m2/g. The mean pores volume in the silica matrix is 0.70 cm3/g. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (1) a catalytic system; and    (2) a method for making a catalytic element.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The diagram shows a schematic view of a catalytic system.    Outer tubular wall (12)    Casing (16)    First portion of casing (20)    Second portion of casing (22)    Thermo-insulating material. (24)