Why is Catholicism OP?

Many claim that the Catholic religion after the 1.30 (or which was it?) rework is the most OP in the Christian group, if not even in the entire game. Don't get me wrong, I see it is a strong faith with many bonuses making it pretty flexible.

However, I don't understand in what ways it deserves being called truly overpowered, and what strategies can be used to make it so. I constantly placate the pope, even as far as trying to not even look wrong at the Papal State. I get some cardinals, I invest the influence, I get the bonuses once in a while, having at least two or three of them active at any moment.

I usually become the papal controller only once in the campaign before it stops being relevant, even with all the influence invested and the perks of that (not the bonuses) are circumstantial at best. Excommunicating the Doge of Venice or whomever the Papacy currently rivals, before they eventually die or buy indulgences, doesn't justify 1000 influence invested totally.The -20% AE is good though (until it no longer matters), and the rest are situational.

So yeah, sorry for the long read, but I fail to see how it's overpowered and so much better than Protestant or Orthodox. Any and all tips and tricks are welcome, emperors.