Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the recovery of sulfur from a hydrogen sulfide containing gas, which comprises oxidizing hydrogen sulfide with oxygen, and then reacting the product gas of this oxidation further by using at least two catalytic stages, in accordance with the equation: 2H.sub.2 S+SO.sub.2 .revreaction.2H.sub.2 O+3/n S.sub.n. In order to improve the process and the process control, the invention is characterized in that the H.sub.2 S concentration in the gas leaving the last catalytic stage is controlled to have a value ranging between 0.8 and 3% by volume by reducing the quantity of combustion or oxidation air passed to the oxidation stage and/or causing a portion of the hydrogen sulfide containing feedstock gas to bypass the oxidation stage and to be added to the gas flowing to a catalytic stage.