#popup-messages {
    position: fixed;
    bottom: 8em;
    left: 50%;
    transform: translateX(-50%);
    z-index: 1050;
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 90vw;
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    align-items: center;
    pointer-events: none;
}

.popup-message {
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #ffffff, #f2f2f2); /* clean whitish gradient */
    color: #222;
    font-weight: 600;
    padding: 0.75rem 1.25rem;
    margin-bottom: 0.75rem;
    border-radius: 0.75rem;
    box-shadow: 0 4px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
    font-size: 0.95rem;
    opacity: 1;
    transition: opacity 0.4s ease, transform 0.3s ease;
    pointer-events: auto;
    max-width: 500px;
    width: calc(100% - 2rem);
    text-align: center;
    border: 1px solid #ccc;
}

.popup-message a {
    color: #0056b3; /* more visible blue */
    text-decoration: underline;
    font-weight: 500;
    cursor: pointer;
}

.popup-message a:hover {
    color: #003974;
    text-decoration: none;
}

.popup-message.fade-out {
    opacity: 0;
}

/* Optional: mobile tweaks */
@media (max-width: 500px) {
    #popup-messages {
        bottom: 6em;
        padding: 0 1em;
    }

    .popup-message {
        font-size: 0.9rem;
        padding: 0.6rem 1rem;
    }
}