Questions / Salvation, heaven and hell

What is purgatory?

Church teaching

Answered on video by Ascension Presents

Video: What is Purgatory?, Ascension Presents, published Sep 14, 2022. Checked 10 October 2026. Loads from YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode) only when you press play. Watch on YouTube

In short: The final cleanup for people who die in God’s grace but aren’t quite ready for heaven yet. CCC 1030 CCC 1031

The answer, in writing

Church teaching

Those who die in God’s grace and friendship but still imperfectly purified are assured of salvation, and are purified after death to enter heaven’s joy. CCC 1030

The Church calls this final purification Purgatory, entirely different from the punishment of the damned. CCC 1031

Our words

Everyone in purgatory makes it home. It’s God finishing the work of love He started in you.

Short on time? Quick answer · 4 min

Play video: What Do Catholics Believe About Purgatory?, Catholic Answers, from Catholic Answers Live, 4 min. Loads from YouTube when pressed.

Video: What Do Catholics Believe About Purgatory?, Catholic Answers Live, published Mar 5, 2015. Checked 10 October 2026. Loads from YouTube only when you press play.

Watch another on this

Play video: Is Purgatory a Good Experience?, Catholic Answers, from Catholic Answers Live, 4 min. Loads from YouTube when pressed.

Is purgatory a good thing?

Play video: How Much Time Does an Indulgence Take Off Purgatory?, Catholic Answers, from Catholic Answers Live, 5 min. Loads from YouTube when pressed.

Does an indulgence take time off purgatory?

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Related questions

Do Catholics believe we are saved by grace? Catholic Answers · 2 minAren’t we saved by faith alone? Bishop Robert Barron · 14 minIs there salvation outside the Church? Fr. Mike Schmitz · 8 minHow are we saved? Ascension Presents · 12 min

Sources on this page

How we know · 2 Catechism paragraphs

1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1030, 1031 (official text on vatican.va).

Stone & Incense restates Church teaching in plain words and cites every teaching claim. Our own wording is not an official Church text. Found a mistake? Report an errorCorrections.