To develop applications of the nano-material fullerene, we examined its potential as a visible-light catalyst. Expecting the use of sun light in the future, we found that fullerene catalyzed the oxidation of phenol in aqueous solution under visible-light radiation. The decomposition rate of phenol was proportional to fullerene density, visible-light intensity, phenol concentration and partial pressure of oxygen. As pH decreased, the decomposition rate increased. We also proposed a reaction path catalyzed by fullerene excited with visible-light radiation. Experimental results were consistent with the proposed reaction path.