Purgatory is the word used to describe the final purification that an imperfect soul passes through after death which makes it perfect to enter the presence of God in heaven, provided that the soul (1) did not die in a state of unrepentant mortal sin, and (2) was not already purified during their life. Upon death those in (1) will go straight to hell for their eternal punishment, while those in (2) will go straight to heaven for their eternal reward (i.e., the saints).
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