During the middle ages, how did catholic religious leaders influence the kings and lords of europe?
the church usually had bishops and cardinals made into kings.
the church taught that it had authority over every person.
the church had an army larger than any other feudal army.
the church had control over most of europe's food supply.

The Church taught that it had authority over every person. The reason for this was during the Middle Ages, things were very disorganized.  The only organized institution was the Church.  I had the power to crown kings and thus exerted a strong influence on a kingdom.

The answer is: The Church taught that it had authority over every person. As most institutions were run by religious leaders, the Church had a lot of influence over how people were taught and treated. Places such as schools and parishes, where people attended regularly and were taken as the center of their daily activities, and as church members were in charge of this places, they had the possibility to teach whatever was convenient for them.