A process for the removal of H.sub.2 S from a feed gas, and the production of sulfur therefrom, is effected by oxidation with oxygen and/or SO.sub.2 at temperatures between 250.degree. and 450.degree. F. The oxidation is conducted in the presence of an extremely stable oxidation catalyst comprising an oxide and/or sulfide of vanadium supported on a non-alkaline porous refractory oxide. Sulfur deposition and consequent catalyst deactivation are prevented by maintaining the partial pressure of free sulfur in the oxidation reactor below that necessary for condensation. H.sub.2, CO, and light hydrocarbons present in the feed gas are not oxidized. Typical uses of the process include the removal of H.sub.2 S and the production of sulfur from sour natural gases or gases obtained from the gasification of coal.Feed gases which contain SO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 S in mole ratios greater than 0.5, or which contain other gaseous sulfur compounds such as COS, CS.sub.2, SO.sub.3 and mercaptans, can be desulfurized by hydrogenating all of such sulfur components to H.sub.2 S and subsequently removing the H.sub.2 S from the hydrogenated feed gas by the oxidation process of the invention. This hydrogenation-oxidation combination is especially contemplated for the desulfurization of Claus tail gases and stack gas effluents.