A process for removing sulfur from a gas containing sulfur compounds as H2S, SO2, COS, CS2 . . . , in a quantity of up to 15% wt; particularly gases emanating from the Claus process: A first hydrogenation of the sulfur compounds into H2S, the hydrogenation gas being used to regenerate a deactivated bed of oxidation catalyst, both being carried out at 200-500° C. After sulfur removal, the resulting gas undergoes a second hydrogenation step and then a direct oxidation step, said step being operated under the dew point of sulfur to trap the formed sulfur in the catalyst. In the further cycle, the gas streams are switched so as to regenerate the catalyst in run which is deactivated.