H.sub.2 S-containing gases are desulfurized by direct catalytic oxidation of the H.sub.2 S to elementary sulfur by means of oxygen-containing gases in a tube reactor, with indirect removal of the heat of reaction by means of a coolant and with condensation of the sulfur formed, wherein either the catalyst is present in the jacket space around the tubes and the coolant is present in the tubes of the reactor or the coolant is present in the jacket space around the tubes and the catalyst is present in the tubes of the reactor, and the catalyst fills the tubes of the tube reactor or the jacket space around the tubes over the entire cross-section of the tubes or the jacket space respectively, the exit temperature of the gaseous reaction mixture leaving the tube reactor is kept at 180.degree.-400.degree. C. and the sulfur formed in the tube reactor is separated out of the reaction mixture, obtained in the reactor, in a condensation stage downstream of the reactor.