shared icloud photo album says "waiting for 53 photos shared by"

Hello and welcome to Apple Support Communities, mary-beth225.

If I understand your post correctly, you are trying to view a shared photo album on iCloud. I’d like to help.

There are a few things we'll need to check.

1. Is your device connected to Wi-Fi?
2. Are you able to view the photos from another device?
3. Do the photos appear to have successfully shared for the owner of the photos?
4. Does anyone else have access to the shared album and are they able to view the photos?

You may also find these articles helpful:

Use Shared Albums in Photos

Get help with iCloud Photos

Let us know if that resolves this issue for you. 

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities. Take care.