Purgatory is a concept in some Christian traditions referring to a state of purification for souls who have died in a state of grace but still need to undergo purification before entering Heaven. The idea of purgatory is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, but it has been developed over centuries through tradition and theological reflection.
The Catholic Church teaches that purgatory is a real place where souls undergo purification through suffering. This suffering is not eternal, but it can be intense. The length of time a soul spends in purgatory varies depending on the severity of their sins. Prayers and indulgences can help to shorten a soul’s time in purgatory.
