What is purgatory definition?

Purgatory is a place or state where souls undergo a purification process after death before they can enter heaven. The concept of purgatory is most commonly associated with the Catholic Church, but it is also recognized by some other Christian faiths. It is based on the belief that not all souls are clean of sin and imperfection at the time of death, and therefore, they require a period of cleansing to achieve purity before they can enter into the presence of God. In Catholic theology, the suffering of purgatory is believed to be a finite duration, and it is not considered to be a place of eternal punishment like hell. The idea of purgatory has been a subject of theological debate for centuries, but it remains an essential part of Catholic doctrine and practice.