A process for hydrodesulfurizing naphtha feedstream wherein the reactor inlet temperature is below the dew point of the feedstock at the reactor inlet so that the naphtha will completely vaporize within the catalyst bed. It is preferred to use a catalyst comprised of about 1 to about 10 wt. % MoO.sub.3, about 0.1 to about 5 wt. % CoO supported on a suitable support material. They are also characterized as having an average medium pore diameter from about 60 .ANG. to 200 .ANG., a Co/Mo atomic ratio of about 0.1 to about 1.0, a MoO.sub.3 surface concentration of about 0.5.times.10.sup.-4 to about 3.0.times.10.sup.-4 g MoO.sub.3 /m.sup.2, and an average particle size of less than about 2.0 mm in diameter.