Purgatory, in Catholic belief, is a temporary state of purification for souls who die in God’s grace but are not yet fully free from venial sins or temporal punishment due to sin. It is not a place of eternal damnation, but a merciful preparation for entering heaven. Souls in purgatory are assured of salvation, but they undergo cleansing to attain the holiness necessary to see God. The Church encourages prayers, Masses, and sacrifices for these souls, helping them in their journey toward eternal