Judgment, heaven, purgatory and hell
Catholic teaching distinguishes personal judgment, the final judgment, heaven, purification, and hell. Heaven is definitive communion with God; purgatory is purification of those who die in God’s friendship; hell concerns definitive separation through rejection of God. The Church commends the dead to mercy and does not claim to know every individual’s final destiny. Hope should inspire conversion rather than curiosity about punishments.
Follow the sources
An original library introduction, with sources for further study. This is a starting point rather than a complete treatment or a finished formation lesson.