What sin is specifically punished in the first circle of Hell?

In Dante's "Inferno," the first circle of Hell is known as Limbo, which is distinct from the other circles that punish specific sins. This circle is populated by virtuous non-Christians and unbaptized infants who, although they lived righteous lives or possessed noble qualities, did not have the opportunity for salvation due to the time and circumstances in which they lived. Therefore, it is not a punishment for any specific sinful act, but rather a state of unfulfilled potential and separation from the divine presence.

Limbo exemplifies Dante's idea that not all souls are condemned in the traditional sense of punishment; instead, these souls experience a sense of loss and yearning for the salvation they cannot attain. It is a place defined by the absence of hope rather than active torment, which aligns with Dante's structure of Hell where each circle corresponds to specific sins and their punishments. In this context, while greed, gluttony, and pride are associated with explicit punishments in subsequent circles, Limbo represents a different aspect of moral and spiritual consequence.