It's more that it's a state of existence rather than a place, which like Dante's hell is entirely fan fiction.
There are 2 points of doctrine
Some souls are purified after death;
Such souls benefit from the prayers and pious duties that the living do for them. (Because of the communion of the saints, which people in purgatory are by definition.)
That's it. Recent popes have expanded upon this as more a transformation of the soul to become capable of heaven, which the goodwill of those you leave behind makes less wrenching. Note the similarities to Karma here.
It's more that it's a state of existence rather than a place, which like Dante's hell is entirely fan fiction.
There are 2 points of doctrine
Some souls are purified after death;
Such souls benefit from the prayers and pious duties that the living do for them. (Because of the communion of the saints, which people in purgatory are by definition.)
That's it. Recent popes have expanded upon this as more a transformation of the soul to become capable of heaven, which the goodwill of those you leave behind makes less wrenching. Note the similarities to Karma here.