What happens to children who die?

Defined dogma Common teaching

What the Church holds

Defined dogma Baptized children who die "before attaining the use of free will" go "immediately" to God (Benedictus Deus, 1336).
Common teaching For children who die without Baptism, "the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them". The great mercy of God and "Jesus' tenderness toward children … allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation" for them (CCC 1261).
Current norm A child whose parents intended Baptism may be given a Catholic funeral with the bishop's permission (can. 1183 §2). For Limbo as a theological idea, see the Lantern's Limbo page.

What the saints and mystics report

Private revelation

Simma says "children's Purgatory is short" (SIM-R7), and tells of a four-year-old purified for swapping a broken doll for her twin's (SIM-39). Weigh that last story against Benedictus Deus.
She also places unbaptised infants in Limbo (SIM-41).

Accounts that bear on this