Britain's Prince Charles has called on governments around the world to do more to ensure religious freedom.

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(CNN) -- Britain's Prince Charles has called on governments around the world to do more to ensure religious freedom and urged religious leaders to promote tolerance between people of different faiths.

In a video message recorded to accompany the release of a new report on religious freedom, Charles said current events in Iraq and Syria -- where Sunni extremist group ISIS has been massacring people of other faiths and sectarian tensions have flared -- were "horrendous and heartbreaking."

"We've learned with mounting despair of the expulsion of Christians, Muslims and Yazidis from towns and cities that their ancestors have occupied for centuries," he said.

"It is an indescribable tragedy that Christianity is now under such threat in the Middle East, an area where Christians have lived for 2,000 years and across which Islam spread in 700 A.D., with people of different faiths living together peaceably for centuries."

The report, by Roman Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, highlights the plight of Christians in particular, saying they "remain the most persecuted faith in the world."

It adds that "Muslims also face serious persecution; often from other Muslims who do not share their exact same beliefs," while Jews in parts of Western Europe are increasingly feeling threatened, prompting many to move to Israel.

Prince Charles, who is heir to the British throne, pointed out that the issue of religious intolerance also affects some African nations and many countries across Asia.

But some hope can be found in the efforts of certain communities and faith leaders who work to overcome division and hatred, and seek instead to engage in interfaith dialogue, he said.

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Britain's Prince Charles urges religious freedom, tolerance