As the station SRF reported on Friday, the police took the man to be detained on Wednesday after a pilgrimage with young people.
On Thursday, the responsible diocese of Lugano had announced that the public prosecutor's office had initiated an investigation against the clergyman.
He is therefore accused of sexual acts with children, sexual coercion, sexual acts with persons incapable of judgement or incapable of resistivity, and pornography.
"We are confident that the work of the judicial authorities will quickly clarify the exact nature of the incidents," the communication says.
The corresponding notification was first received by Bishop Alain de Raemy, who has been heading the Diocese of Lugano since October 2022.
After careful examination and in agreement with the alleged victim, the complaint had been forwarded to the authorities.
The accused priest was suspended from the exercise of his office as a precaution.