Abstract: A process for regenerating a spent copper-porous refractory metal oxide carrier composite sorbent for removing sulfur-containing compounds from naphthas in which the spent sorbent is optionally stripped of absorbed naphtha, oxidized to convert absorbed sulfur to sulfates or sulfur dioxide, optionally reduced to further convert absorbed sulfur to sulfur dioxide, and, finally, impregnated with fresh copper via contact with an aqueous solution of a copper salt followed by drying and calcining to convert the salt to copper oxide or copper metal whereby a substantial portion of the sulfur sorbent activity and lifetime of the sorbent is restored.